Texas Rental Laws - An Overview of Landlord-Tenant Rights in the Baylor Area

Key Takeaways

• Landlords in Texas can raise rent and enter the property, but it's important to follow lease terms and fair notice.
• Tenants have the right to a livable home, timely repairs, and proper notice before eviction.
• Disclosures like lead paint, parking rules, and late fee policies must be shared upfront.
• Understanding the basics helps prevent legal issues and supports strong tenant relationships.

Thinking of renting out your home in the Baylor area? Or maybe you’re already a landlord and want to brush up on Texas landlord-tenant laws? Campus Realtors put together this guide to help you stay informed. 

You’ll find all the essential basics here, from both parties’ rights and responsibilities to the rules around evictions, lease termination, rent increases, and security deposits. Understanding these fundamentals can make a big difference. It not only helps you avoid legal issues but also supports stronger relationships with your tenants.

Here’s what you need to know about Texas landlord-tenant law.





Required Landlord Disclosures in Texas

You must provide a prospective tenant with the following disclosures before they can move in. 

• Are you renting out a building built in 1978 or earlier? If so, you must let the tenant know about any use of lead-based paint on the unit and their concentrations. 
• Names and addresses of the person or entity tasked with managing the unit. 
• Informing the tenant about their ability to handle necessary repairs and subtract the expense from rent if repairs aren’t addressed promptly.
• Disclosure of the rules and restrictions on parking if renting out a multi-unit complex. 
• Disclosure of any late fees you may be charging for late rent. 
• Disclosure of the emergency phone number that the tenant will be using to report emergencies within the building. 

Tenants’ responsibilities in Texas include the following. 

• Allow landlord entry for responsibilities like inspections, maintenance, or emergencies. 
• Meet all the early lease termination requirements before breaking a fixed-term tenancy. 
• Keep the unit clean and sanitary. 
• Make small repairs and maintenance as per the terms of the lease. 
• Use all the provided features and appliances reasonably and for their intended purposes. 
• Notify the landlord immediately about issues that arise for prompt response. 
• Abide by all terms of the lease agreement. 



Texas Landlord Rights & Responsibilities 

Equally, landlords in Texas acquire certain rights and responsibilities after establishing a tenancy with a renter. When it comes to rights, they include the following. 

• Draft a lease agreement and require the tenant to observe all of its terms. 
• Cancel the lease when a tenant breaks the rules outlined in it. 
• Require tenants to pay a security deposit before moving into their rented premises. 
• Not to renew a periodic tenancy for another term after serving proper notice. 
• Require a tenant to pay all rent due under the lease for breaking the lease early and without a justified reason. 
• Raise rent by any amount and as often as you choose, as stated in the lease agreement. 
• Access rented premises to carry out important responsibilities, such as inspections and maintenance. 
• Enforce a late fee for late rent payments. 
• Change locks if a tenant has defaulted on their rent. 

And just like with tenants, Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code grants landlords the following responsibilities. 

• Respond to repairs in a timely manner after getting proper notification from the tenant. 
• Carry out a judicial eviction process against a tenant who fails to abide by the terms of the lease agreement. 
• Not retaliate against a tenant who exercises a legal right, such as reporting uninhabitable property issues to relevant government authorities. 
• Handle tenants’ security deposits as per the state’s security deposit rules. 
• Only terminate a tenant’s security deposit after serving a proper advance notice. 
• Make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit after the original tenant vacates their rented unit unjustifiably. 
• Abide by the Fair Housing Act in Texas in all interactions you have with the tenant. 





An Overview of the Landlord-Tenant Laws in Texas

A Landlord's Right to Entry in Texas

As a landlord, you can access your tenant’s rented premises in Texas. However, you must do it for the right reasons, such as inspections, repairs, and emergencies. You must also enter during normal business hours. 

Unlike some other states, Texas doesn’t specify the advance notice requirements landlords must meet. You can agree on one with the tenant and include it as part of the lease. 

Housing Discrimination 

The Fair Housing Act in Texas requires landlords to treat their tenants fairly regardless of certain protected classes. Which include: race, color, nationality, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. 

Rent Increases 

Texas is among the list of states without a nationwide rent control law. This means landlords can increase the rent by any amount and as often as they choose, as long as it’s outlined in the lease.

Tenant Evictions 

These must abide by the Texas tenant eviction laws. Common reasons for tenant eviction in Texas include the following. 

• Failure to pay rent on time. 
• Violating a term of the lease.
• Extending the stay after the tenancy period is over. 

Whatever the violation the tenant has committed, you must strictly follow the law when evicting them.

Conclusion 

There you have it. The basics of the Texas landlord-tenant law that you should familiarize yourself with for a solid landlord-tenant relationship. If you have a question or need expert property management help in the Baylor market, look no further than Campus Realtors. 

You can count on us for complete property management services! Get in touch to learn more. 

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this blog is intended for general guidance and should not be considered as a replacement for professional legal advice. It is important to be aware that laws pertaining to property management may change, rendering this information outdated by the time you read it.