Renter Rights in Texas

Texas law provides specific protections for residential tenants under the Texas Property Code (Chapter 92) and local ordinances. Key rights:

1. Habitable Dwelling

• Landlord must provide: working plumbing, hot water, heating, A/C (if provided), electricity, structural integrity, weatherproofing
• Must repair conditions materially affecting health/safety within 7 days of written notice (3 days for emergencies)
• Remedies: repair and deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent), terminate lease, sue

2. Privacy & Entry

• Landlord may enter only: with tenant consent, emergency, court order, or reasonable notice (24 hrs) for repairs/inspection/showing
• No lockouts or utility shutoffs for nonpayment — illegal "self-help" eviction

3. Security

• Required: deadbolts on exterior doors, keyless bolting devices, window latches, peepholes, sliding door pins
• Rekeying between tenants (unless waived in writing)
• Smoke detectors (landlord install/test; tenant maintain batteries)

4. Quiet Enjoyment

• Right to undisturbed use — landlord cannot permit nuisance by other tenants
• Landlord liable for other tenants' disruptive behavior if notified and fails to act

5. Security Deposits

• No statutory limit (but must be reasonable)
• Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized deductions
• Bad faith withholding = 3x deposit + $100 + attorney fees

6. Lease Termination Rights

• Military orders: 30 days' notice (SCRA)
• Family violence: Immediate termination with documentation
• Landlord breach: Material noncompliance (habitability, security) after notice
• Uninhabitable: Constructive eviction

7. Retaliation Protection

• Landlord cannot retaliate (evict, raise rent, cut services) for: repair requests, complaints to authorities, tenant organizing
• Presumed retaliatory if within 6 months of protected activity

Enforcement

• Complaint: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
• Justice of the Peace Court (evictions, < $20k disputes)
• Legal aid: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Lone Star Legal Aid, local bar referrals

Always document: written requests, photos, certified mail, communication logs. Texas favors written notice.