Landlord-tenant law

Texas Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Texas.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.102
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice to vacate (pay or quit)
Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001
¢
Late Fee Cap
10% of monthly rent (buildings with > 4 units); 12% (4 units or fewer)
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019
⏱
Grace Period
2 days (late fee cannot be charged until 2 full days after rent due date)
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019(a)(3)
Texas specific notes

Texas's treble-damage provision for wrongful deposit withholding (§ 92.109) is considered one of the strongest in the country. Texas preempts local rent control, so no Texas municipality has a rent-control ordinance. Austin's tenant protections (source of income discrimination, fair chance housing) do not include rent control.

FAQ

Common Texas landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Texas?+
No statutory limit. Governed by Tex. Prop. Code § 92.102. Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Texas for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice to vacate (pay or quit). Per Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Texas?+
30 days. Per Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Texas?+
10% of monthly rent (buildings with > 4 units); 12% (4 units or fewer). Per Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019. Grace period: 2 days (late fee cannot be charged until 2 full days after rent due date). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Texas

Compare

See how Texas stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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