Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, in this chapter:

1. “Dwelling” means one or more rooms rented for use as a permanent residence under a single lease to one or more tenants.
2. “Landlord” means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of a dwelling, but does not include a manager or agent of the landlord unless the manager or agent purports to be the owner, lessor, or sublessor in an oral or written lease.
3. “Lease” means any written or oral agreement between a landlord and tenant that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, or other provisions regarding the use and occupancy of a dwelling.
4. “Normal wear and tear” means deterioration that results from the intended use of a dwelling, including, for the purposes of Subchapters B and D, breakage or malfunction due to age or deteriorated condition, but the term does not include deterioration that results from negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse of the premises, equipment, or chattels by the tenant, by a member of the tenant’s household, or by a guest or invitee of the tenant.
5. “Premises” means a tenant’s rental unit, any area or facility the lease authorizes the tenant to use, and the appurtenances, grounds, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally.
6. “Tenant” means a person who is authorized by a lease to occupy a dwelling to the exclusion of others and, for the purposes of Subchapters D, E, and F, who is obligated under the lease to pay rent.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3630, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 48, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 357, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

This chapter applies only to the relationship between landlords and tenants of residential rental property.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

a) In a lawsuit by a tenant under either a written or oral lease for a dwelling or in a suit to enforce a legal obligation of the owner as landlord of the dwelling, the owner ‘s agent for service of process is determined according to this section.

b) If written notice of the name and business street address of the company that manages the dwelling has been given to the tenant, the management company is the owner ‘s sole agent for service of process.

c) If Subsection (b) does not apply, the owner ‘s management company, on-premise manager, or rent collector serving the dwelling is the owner ‘s authorized agent for service of process unless the owner ‘s name and business street address have been furnished in writing to the tenant.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

A party who files or prosecutes a suit under Subchapter B, D, E, or F in bad faith or for purposes of harassment is liable to the defendant for one month ‘s rent plus $100 and for attorney ‘s fees.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

a) A party who prevails in a suit brought under this subchapter or Subchapter B, E, or F may recover the party ‘s costs of court and reasonable attorney ‘s fees in relation to work reasonably expended.

b) This section does not authorize a recovery of attorney ‘s fees in an action brought under Subchapter E or F for damages that relate to or arise from property damage, personal injury, or a criminal act.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 357, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1439, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

This subsection shall not affect the landlord’s duty under Subchapter B to repair or remedy, at the landlord ‘s expense, wastewater stoppages or backups caused by deterioration, breakage, roots, ground conditions, faulty construction, or malfunctioning equipment. A landlord and tenant may agree to the provisions of this subsection only if the agreement meets the requirements of Subdivision (4) of Subsection (e) of this section.

a)  A landlord’s duty or a tenant’s remedy concerning security deposits, security devices, the landlord’s disclosure of ownership   and management, or utility cutoffs, as provided by Subchapter C, D, E, or G, respectively, may not be waived. A landlord’s duty to install a smoke alarm under Subchapter F may not be waived, nor may a tenant waive a remedy for the landlord’s noninstallation or waive the tenant’s limited right of installation and removal. The landlord’s duty of inspection and repair of smoke alarms under Subchapter F may be waived only by written agreement.

b)  A landlord’s duties and the tenant’s remedies concerning security devices, the landlord’s disclosure of ownership and management, or smoke alarms, as provided by Subchapter D, E, or F, respectively, may be enlarged only by specific written agreement.

c) A landlord ‘s duties and the tenant’s remedies under Subchapter B, which covers conditions materially affecting the physical health or safety of the ordinary tenant, may not be waived except as provided in Subsections (d), (e), and (f) of this section.

d) A landlord and a tenant may agree for the tenant to repair or remedy, at the landlord ‘s expense, any condition covered by Subchapter B.

e) A landlord and a tenant may agree for the tenant to repair or remedy, at the tenant’s expense, any condition covered by Subchapter B if all of the following conditions are met:

1. at the beginning of the lease term the landlord owns only one rental dwelling;

2. at the beginning of the lease term the dwelling is free from any condition which would materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant;

3. at the beginning of the lease term the landlord has no reason to believe that any condition described in Subdivision (2) of this subsection is likely to occur or recur during the tenant’s lease term or during a renewal or extension; and 

4. 

A. the lease is in writing;

B. the agreement for repairs by the tenant is either underlined or printed in boldface in the lease or in a separate written addendum;

C. the agreement is specific and clear; and

D. the agreement is made knowingly, voluntarily, and for consideration.

f) A landlord and tenant may agree that, except for those conditions caused by the negligence of the landlord, the tenant has the duty to pay for repair of the following conditions that may occur during the lease term or a renewal or extension:

1. damage from wastewater stoppages caused by foreignor improper objects in lines that exclusively serve the tenant’s dwelling;

2. damage to doors, windows, or screens; and

3. damage from windows or doors left open.

g) A tenant’s right to vacate a dwelling and avoid liability under Section 92.016 or 92.017 may not be waived by a tenant or a landlord, except as provided by those sections.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 650, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.

Venue for an action under this chapter is governed by Section 15.0115, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3632, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 332, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 650, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 48, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 138, Sec. 9, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.

a) A landlord or a landlord ‘s agent may not interrupt or cause the interruption of utility service paid for directly to the utility company by a tenant unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency.

b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), a landlord may not interrupt or cause the interruption of water, wastewater, gas, or electric service furnished to a tenant by the landlord as an incident of the tenancy or by other agreement unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency.

c) A landlord may interrupt or cause the interruption of electrical service furnished to a tenant by the landlord as an incident of the tenancy or by other agreement if:
1. the electrical service furnished to the tenant is individually metered or submetered for the dwelling unit;
2. the electrical service connection with the utility company is in the name of the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent; and
3. the landlord complies with the rules adopted by the Public Utility Commission of Texas for discontinuance of submetered electrical service.

d) A landlord may interrupt or cause the interruption of electrical service furnished to a tenant by the landlord as an incident of the tenancy or by other agreement if:
1. the electrical service furnished to the tenant is not individually metered or submetered for the dwelling unit;
2. the electrical service connection with the utility company is in the name of the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent;
3. the tenant is at least seven days late in paying the rent;
4. the landlord has mailed or hand-delivered to the tenant at least five days before the date the electrical service is interrupted a written notice that states:
A. the earliest date of the proposed interruption of electrical service;
B. the amount of rent the tenant must pay to avert the interruption; and
C. the name and location of the individual to whom or the location of the on-site management office where the delinquent rent may be paid during the landlord ‘s normal business hours;

5. the interruption does not begin before or after the landlord ‘s normal business hours; and
6. the interruption does not begin on a day, or on a day immediately preceding a day, when the landlord or other designated individual is not available or the on-site managementoffice is not open to accept rent and restore electrical service.

e) A landlord who interrupts electrical service under Subsection (c) or (d) shall restore the service not later than two hours after the time the tenant tenders, during the landlord ‘s normal business hours, payment of the delinquent electric bill or rent owed to the landlord.

f) If a landlord or a landlord ‘s agent violates this section, the tenant may:
1. either recover possession of the premises or terminate the lease; and
2. recover from the landlord an amount equal to the sum of the tenant’s actual damages, one month ‘s rent or $500, whichever is greater, reasonable attorney ‘s fees, and court costs, less any delinquent rents or other sums for which the tenant is liable to the landlord.

g) A provision of a lease that purports to waive a right or to exempt a party from a liability or duty under this section is void.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3632, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 200, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 26, 1985. Renumbered from Sec. 91.002 by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 683, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Amended as Sec. 91.002 by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 826, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Renumbered from Sec. 91.002 and amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 689, Sec. 1, 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 869, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 952, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

a) A landlord may not remove a door, window, or attic hatchway cover or a lock, latch, hinge, hinge pin, doorknob, or other mechanism connected to a door, window, or attic hatchway cover from premises leased to a tenant or remove furniture, fixtures, or appliances furnished by the landlord from premises leased to a tenant unless the landlord removes the item for a bona fide repair or replacement. If a landlord removes any of the items listed in this subsection for a bona fide repair or replacement, the repair or replacement must be promptly performed.

b) A landlord may not intentionally prevent a tenant from entering the leased premises except by judicial process unless the exclusion results from:
bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency;
removing the contents of premises abandoned by a tenant; or
changing the door locks of a tenant who is delinquent in paying at least part of the rent.

c) If a landlord or a landlord ‘s agent changes the door lock of a tenant who is delinquent in paying rent, the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent must place a written notice on the tenant’s front door stating:
1. an on-site location where the tenant may go 24 hours a day to obtain the new key or a telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day that the tenant may call to have a key delivered within two hours after calling the number;
2. the fact that the landlord must provide the new key to the tenant at any hour, regardless of whether or not the tenant pays any of the delinquent rent; and
3. the amount of rent and other charges for which the tenant is delinquent.

d) A landlord may not intentionally prevent a tenant from entering the leased premises under Subsection (b)(3) unless:
1. the tenant is delinquent in paying all or part of the rent; and
2. the landlord has locally mailed not later than the fifth calendar day before the date on which the door locks are changed or hand-delivered to the tenant or posted on the inside of the main entry door of the tenant’s dwelling not later than the third calendar day before the date on which the door locks are changed a written notice stating:
A. the earliest date that the landlord proposes to change the door locks;
B. the amount of rent the tenant must pay to prevent changing of the door locks; and
C. the name and street address of the individual to whom, or the location of the on-site management office at which, the delinquent rent may be paid during the landlord ‘s normal business hours.

e) A landlord may not change the locks on the door of a tenant’s dwelling under Subsection (b)(3) on a day, or on a day immediately before a day, on which the landlord or other designated individual is not available, or on which any on-site management office is not open, for the tenant to tender the delinquent rent.

f) A landlord who intentionally prevents a tenant from entering the tenant’s dwelling under Subsection (b)(3) must provide the tenant with a key to the changed lock on the dwelling without regard to whether the tenant pays the delinquent rent.

g) If a landlord arrives at the dwelling in a timely manner in response to a tenant’s telephone call to the number contained in the notice as described by Subsection (c)(1) and the tenant is not present to receive the key to the changed lock, the landlord shall leave a notice on the front door of the dwelling stating the time the landlord arrived with the key and the street address to which the tenant may go to obtain the key during the landlord ‘s normal office hours.

h) If a landlord violates this section, the tenant may:
1. either recover possession of the premises or terminate the lease; and
2. recover from the landlord a civil penalty of one month ‘s rent plus $500, actual damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney ‘s fees in an action to recover property damages, actual expenses, or civil penalties , less any delinquent rent or other sums for which the tenant is liable to the landlord.

i) If a landlord violates Subsection (f), the tenant may recover, in addition to the remedies provided by Subsection (h), an additional civil penalty of one month ‘s rent.

j) A provision of a lease that purports to waive a right or to exempt a party from a liability or duty under this section is void.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3632, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 200, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 26, 1985. Renumbered from V.T.C.A., Property Code Sec. 91.002 by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 683, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Amended as Sec. 91.002 by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 826, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Renumbered from V.T.C.A., Property Code Sec. 91.002 and amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 689, Sec. 1, 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Redesignated from V.T.C.A., Property Code Sec. 92.008(b) to (f) and amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 869, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 952, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

a) If a landlord has locked a tenant out of leased premises in violation of Section 92.008, the tenant may recover possession of the premises as provided by this section.

b) The tenant must file with the justice court in the precinct in which the rental premises are located a sworn complaint for reentry, specifying the facts of the alleged unlawful lockout by the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent. The tenant must also state orally under oath to the justice the facts of the alleged unlawful lockout.

c) If the tenant has complied with Subsection (b) and if the justice reasonably believes an unlawful lockout has likely occurred, the justice may issue, ex parte, a writ of reentry that entitles the tenant to immediate and temporary possession of the premises, pending a final hearing on the tenant’s sworn complaint for reentry.

d) The writ of reentry must be served on either the landlord or the landlord ‘s management company, on-premises manager, or rent collector in the same manner as a writ of possession in a forcible detainer action. A sheriff or constable may use reasonable force in executing a writ of reentry under this section.

e) The landlord is entitled to a hearing on the tenant’s sworn complaint for reentry. The writ of reentry must notify the landlord of the right to a hearing. The hearing shall be held not earlier than the first day and not later than the seventh day after the date the landlord requests a hearing.

f) If the landlord fails to request a hearing on the tenant’s sworn complaint for reentry before the eighth day after the date of service of the writ of reentry on the landlord under Subsection (d), a judgment for court costs may be rendered against the landlord.

g) A party may appeal from the court ‘s judgment at the hearing on the sworn complaint for reentry in the same manner as a party may appeal a judgment in a forcible detainer suit.

h) If a writ of possession is issued, it supersedes a writ of reentry.

i) If the landlord or the person on whom a writ of reentry is served fails to immediately comply with the writ or later disobeys the writ, the failure is grounds for contempt of court against the landlord or the person on whom the writ was served, under Section 21.002, Government Code. If the writ is disobeyed, the tenant or the tenant’s attorney may file in the court in which the reentry action is pending an affidavit stating the name of the person who has disobeyed the writ and describing the acts or omissions constituting the disobedience. On receipt of an affidavit, the justice shall issue a show cause order, directing the person to appear on a designated date and show cause why he should not be adjudged in contempt of court. If the justice finds, after considering the evidence at the hearing, that the person has directly or indirectly disobeyed the writ, the justice may commit the person to jail without bail until the person purges himself of the contempt in a manner and form as the justice may direct. If the person disobeyed the writ before receiving the show cause order but has complied with the writ after receiving the order, the justice may find the person in contempt and assess punishment under Section 21.002(c), Government Code.

j) This section does not affect a tenant’s right to pursue a separate cause of action under Section 92.008.

k) If a tenant in bad faith files a sworn complaint for reentry resulting in a writ of reentry being served on the landlord or landlord ‘s agent, the landlord may in a separate cause of action recover from the tenant an amount equal to actual damages, one month ‘s rent or $500, whichever is greater, reasonable attorney ‘s fees, and costs of court, less any sums for which the landlord is liable to the tenant.

l) The fee for filing a sworn complaint for reentry is the same as that for filing a civil action in justice court. The fee for service of a writ of reentry is the same as that for service of a writ of possession. The fee for service of a show cause order is the same as that for service of a civil citation. The justice may defer payment of the tenant’s filing fees and service costs for the sworn complaint for reentry and writ of reentry. Court costs may be waived only if the tenant executes a pauper ‘s affidavit.

m) This section does not affect the rights of a landlord or tenant in a forcible detainer or forcible entry and detainer action.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 687, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1205, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum number of adults that a landlord may allow to occupy a dwelling is three times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling.

b) A landlord may allow an occupancy rate of more than three adult tenants per bedroom:
1. to the extent that the landlord is required by a state or federal fair housing law to allow a higher occupancy rate; or
2. if an adult whose occupancy causes a violation of Subsection (a) is seeking temporary sanctuary from family violence, as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, for a period that does not exceed one month.

c) An individual who owns or leases a dwelling within 3,000 feet of a dwelling as to which a landlord has violated this section, or a governmental entity or civic association acting on behalf of the individual, may file suit against a landlord to enjoin the violation. A party who prevails in a suit under this subsection may recover court costs and reasonable attorney ‘s fees from the other party. In addition to court costs and reasonable attorney ‘s fees, a plaintiff who prevails under this subsection may recover from the landlord $500 for each violation of this section.

d) In this section:
1. “Adult” means an individual 18 years of age or older.
2. “Bedroom” means an area of a dwelling intended as sleeping quarters. The term does not include a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, living room, utility room, or closet or storage area of a dwelling.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 937, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 7.002(o), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

a) A landlord shall accept a tenant’s timely cash rental payment unless a written lease between the landlord and tenant requires the tenant to make rental payments by check, money order, or other traceable or negotiable instrument.

b) A landlord who receives a cash rental payment shall:
1. provide the tenant with a written receipt; and
2. enter the payment date and amount in a record book maintained by the landlord.

c) A tenant or a governmental entity or civic association acting on the tenant’s behalf may file suit against a landlord to enjoin a violation of this section. A party who prevails in a suit brought under this subsection may recover court costs and reasonable attorney ‘s fees from the other party. In addition to court costs and reasonable attorney ‘s fees, a tenant who prevails under this subsection may recover from the landlord the greater of one month ‘s rent or $500 for each violation of this section.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 938, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Renumbered from V.T.C.A., Property Code Sec. 92.010 by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 17.01(44), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

a) If, at the time of signing a lease or lease renewal, a tenant gives written notice to the tenant’s landlord that the tenant does not occupy the leased premises as a primary residence and requests in writing that the landlord send notices to the tenant at the tenant’s primary residence and provides to the landlord the address of the tenant’s primary residence, the landlord shall mail to the tenant’s primary residence:
1. all notices of lease violations;
2. all notices of lease termination;
3. all notices of rental increases at the end of the lease term; and
4. all notices to vacate.

b) The tenant shall notify the landlord in writing of any change in the tenant’s primary residence address. Oral notices of change are insufficient.

c) A notice to a tenant’s primary residence under Subsection (a) may be sent by regular United States mail and shall be considered as having been given on the date of postmark of the notice.

d) If there is more than one tenant on a lease, the landlord is not required under this section to send notices to the primary residence of more than one tenant.

e) This section does not apply if notice is actually hand delivered to and received by a person occupying the leased premises.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1205, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

a) A landlord shall give prior written notice to a tenant regarding a landlord rule or policy change that is not included in the lease agreement and that will affect any personal property owned by the tenant that is located outside the tenant’s dwelling. A landlord shall provide to the tenant in a multiunit complex, as that term is defined by Section 92.151, a copy of any applicable vehicle towing or parking rules or policies of the landlord and any changes to those rules or policies as provided by Section 92.0131.

b) The notice must be given in person or by mail to the affected tenant. Notice in person may be by personal delivery to the tenant or any person residing at the tenant’s dwelling who is 16 years of age or older or by personal delivery to the tenant’s dwelling and affixing the notice to the inside of the main entry door. Notice by mail may be by regular mail, by registered mail, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the dwelling has no mailbox and has a keyless bolting device, alarm system, or dangerous animal that prevents the landlord from entering the premises to leave the notice on the inside of the main entry door, the landlord may securely affix the notice on the outside of the main entry door.

c) A landlord who fails to give notice as required by this section is liable to the tenant for any expense incurred by the tenant as a result of the landlord ‘s failure to give the notice.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 942, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1060, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

a) This section applies only to a tenant in a multiunit complex, as that term is defined by Section 92.151.

b) If at the time a lease agreement is executed a landlord has vehicle towing or parking rules or policies that apply to the tenant, the landlord shall provide to the tenant a copy of the rules or policies before the lease agreement is executed. The copy of the rules or policies must be:
1. signed by the tenant;
2. included in a lease agreement signed by the tenant; or
3. included in an attachment to the lease agreement that is signed by the tenant, but only if the attachment is expressly referred to in the lease agreement.

c) If the rules or policies are contained in the lease agreement or an attachment to the lease agreement, the title to the paragraph containing the rules or policies must read “Parking” or “Parking Rules” and be capitalized, underlined, or printed in bold print.

d) If a landlord changes the vehicle towing or parking rules or policies during the term of the lease agreement, the landlord shall provide written notice of the change to the tenant before the tenant is required to comply with the rule or policy change. The landlord has the burden of proving that the tenant received a copy of the rule or policy change. The landlord may satisfy that burden of proof by providing evidence that the landlord:
1. delivered the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the tenant at the tenant’s dwelling; or
2. made a notation in the landlord ‘s files of the time, place, and method of providing the notice and the name of the person who delivered the notice by:
A. hand delivery to the tenant or any occupant of the tenant’s dwelling over the age of 16 years at the tenant’s dwelling;
B. facsimile to a facsimile number the tenant provided to the landlord for the purpose of receiving notices; or
C. taping the notice to the inside of the main entry door of the tenant’s dwelling.

e) If a rule or policy change is made during the term of the lease agreement, the change:
1. must:
A. apply to all of the landlord ‘s tenants in the same multiunit complex and be based on necessity, safety or security of tenants, reasonable requirements for construction on the premises, or respect for other tenants ‘ parking rights; or
B. be adopted based on the tenant’s written consent; and
2. may not be effective before the 14th day after the date notice of the change is delivered to the tenant, unless the change is the result of a construction or utility emergency.

f) A landlord who violates Subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) is liable for a civil penalty in the amount of $100 plus any towing or storage costs that the tenant incurs as a result of the towing of the tenant’s vehicle. The nonprevailing party in a suit under this section is liable to the prevailing party for reasonable attorney ‘s fees and court costs.

g) A landlord is liable for any damage to a tenant’s vehicle resulting from the negligence of a towing service that contracts with the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent to remove vehicles that are parked in violation of the landlord ‘s rules and policies if the towing company that caused the damage does not carry insurance that covers the damage.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1060, Sec. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

a) Upon written request of a landlord, the landlord ‘s tenant shall:
1. provide the landlord with the name, address, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of the tenant’s death; and
2. sign a statement authorizing the landlord in the event of the tenant’s death to:
A. grant to the person designated under Subdivision (1) access to the premises at a reasonable time and in the presence of the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent;
B. allow the person designated under Subdivision (1) to remove any of the tenant’s property found at the leased premises; and
C. refund the tenant’s security deposit, less lawful deductions, to the person designated under Subdivision (1).

b) A tenant may, without request from the landlord, provide the landlord with the information in Subsection (a).

c) Except as provided in Subsection (d), in the event of the death of a tenant who is the sole occupant of a rental dwelling:
1. the landlord may remove and store all property found in the tenant’s leased premises;
2. the landlord shall turn over possession of the property to the person who was designated by the tenant under Subsection (a) or (b) or to any other person lawfully entitled to the property if the request is made prior to the property being discarded under Subdivision (5);
3. the landlord shall refund the tenant’s security deposit, less lawful deductions, including the cost of removing and storing the property, to the person designated under Subsection (a) or (b) or to any other person lawfully entitled to the refund;
4. the landlord may require any person who removesthe property from the tenant’s leased premises to sign an inventory of the property being removed; and
5. the landlord may discard the property removed by the landlord from the tenant’s leased premises if:
A. the landlord has mailed a written request by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person designated under Subsection (a) or (b), requesting that the property be removed;
B. the person failed to remove the property by the 30th day after the postmark date of the notice; and
C. the landlord, prior to the date of discarding the property, has not been contacted by anyone claiming the property.

d) In a written lease or other agreement, a landlord and a tenant may agree to a procedure different than the procedure in this section for removing, storing, or disposing of property in the leased premises of a deceased tenant.

e) If a tenant, after being furnished with a copy of this subchapter, knowingly violates Subsection (a), the landlord shall have no responsibility after the tenant’s death for removal, storage, disappearance, damage, or disposition of property in the tenant’s leased premises.

f) If a landlord, after being furnished with a copy of this subchapter, knowingly violates Subsection (c), the landlord shall be liable to the estate of the deceased tenant for actual damages.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1439, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from V.T.C.A., Property Code Sec. 92.013 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(97), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

a) A landlord may not:
1. prohibit or limit a residential tenant’s right to summon police or other emergency assistance in response to family violence; or
2. impose monetary or other penalties on a tenant who summons police or emergency assistance in response to family violence.

b) A provision in a lease is void if the provision purports to:
1. waive a tenant’s right to summon police or other emergency assistance in response to family violence; or
2. exempt any party from a liability or a duty under this section.

c) In addition to other remedies provided by law, if a landlord violates this section, a tenant is entitled to recover from or against the landlord:
1. a civil penalty in an amount equal to one month ‘s rent;
2. actual damages suffered by the tenant as a result of the landlord ‘s violation of this section;
3. court costs;
4. injunctive relief; and
5. reasonable attorney ‘s fees incurred by the tenant in seeking enforcement of this section.

d) For purposes of this section, if a tenant’s rent is subsidized in whole or in part by a governmental entity, “one month ‘s rent” means one month ‘s fair market rent.

e) For purposes of this section, “family violence” has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 794, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1344, Sec. 1

a) In this section, “governmental entity” means the state, an agency of the state, or a political subdivision of the state.

b) A landlord or a landlord ‘s manager or agent may not charge or seek reimbursement from the landlord ‘s tenant for the amount of a fine imposed on the landlord by a governmental entity unless the tenant or another occupant of the tenant’s dwelling actually caused the damage or other condition on which the fine is based.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1344, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005. For text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 1, see Sec. 92.016, post.

Text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 1

a) For purposes of this section:
1. “Family violence” has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code.
2. A “Occupant” means a person who has the landlord ‘s consent to occupy a dwelling but has no obligation to pay the rent for the dwelling.

b) A tenant may terminate the tenant’s rights and obligations under a lease and may vacate the dwelling and avoid liability for future rent and any other sums due under the lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before the end of the lease term if the tenant complies with Subsection (c) and obtains and provides the landlord or the landlord ‘s agent a copy of one or more of the following orders protecting the tenant or an occupant from family violence committed by a cotenant or occupant of the dwelling:
1. a temporary injunction issued under Subchapter F, Chapter 6, Family Code; or
2. a protective order issued under Chapter 85, Family Code.

c) A tenant may exercise the rights to terminate the lease under Subsection (b), vacate the dwelling before the end of the lease term, and avoid liability beginning on the date after all of the following events have occurred:
1. a judge signs an order described by Subsection (b);
2. the tenant has delivered a copy of the order to the landlord; and
3. the tenant has vacated the dwelling.

d) Except as provided by Subsection (f), this section does not affect a tenant’s liability for delinquent, unpaid rent or other sums owed to the landlord before the lease was terminated by the tenant under this section.

e) A landlord who violates this section is liable to the tenant for actual damages, a civil penalty equal in amount to the amount of one month ‘s rent plus $500, and attorney ‘s fees.

f) A tenant who terminates a lease under Subsection (b) is released from all liability for any delinquent, unpaid rent owed to the landlord by the tenant on the effective date of the lease termination if the lease does not contain language substantially equivalent to the following: “Tenants may have special statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving family violence or a military deployment or transfer.”

g) A tenant’s right to terminate a lease before the end of the lease term, vacate the dwelling, and avoid liability under this section may not be waived by a tenant.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. For text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1344, Sec. 1, see Sec. 92.016, ante.

a) For purposes of this section, ” dependent,” “military service,” and “servicemember” have the meanings assigned by 50 App. U.S.C. Section 511.

b) A tenant who is a servicemember or a dependent of a servicemember may vacate the dwelling leased by the tenant and avoid liability for future rent and all other sums due under the lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before the end of the lease term if:
1. the lease was executed by or on behalf of a person who, after executing the lease or during the term of the lease, enters military service; or
2. a servicemember, while in military service, executes the lease and after executing the lease receives military orders:
A. for a permanent change of station; or
B. to deploy with a military unit for a period of 90 days or more.

c) A tenant who terminates a lease under Subsection (b) shall deliver to the landlord or landlord ‘s agent:
1. a written notice of termination of the lease; and
2. a copy of an appropriate government document providing evidence of the tenant’s entrance into military service if Subsection (b)(1) applies or a copy of the servicemember ‘s military orders if Subsection (b)(2) applies.

d) Termination of a lease under this section is effective:
1. in the case of a lease that provides for monthly payment of rent, on the 30th day after the first date on which the next rental payment is due after the date on which the notice under Subsection (c)(1) is delivered; or
2. in the case of a lease other than a lease described by Subdivision (1), on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice under Subsection (c)(1) is delivered.

e) A landlord, not later than the 30th day after the effective date of the termination of a lease under this section, shall refund to the residential tenant terminating the lease under Subsection (b) all rent or other amounts paid in advance under the lease for any period after the effective date of the termination of the lease.

f) Except as provided by Subsection (g), this section does not affect a tenant’s liability for delinquent, unpaid rent or other sums owed to the landlord before the lease was terminated by the tenant under this section. Text of subsec. (g) effective January 1, 2006

g) A tenant who terminates a lease under Subsection (b) is released from all liability for any delinquent, unpaid rent owed to the landlord by the tenant on the effective date of the lease termination if the lease does not contain language substantially equivalent to the following: “Tenants may have special statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving family violence or a military deployment or transfer.”

h) A landlord who violates this section is liable to the tenant for actual damages, a civil penalty in an amount equal to the amount of one month ‘s rent plus $500, and attorney ‘s fees.

i) Except as provided by Subsection (j), a tenant’s right to terminate a lease before the end of the lease term, vacate the dwelling, and avoid liability under this section may not be waived by a tenant.

j) A tenant and a landlord may agree that the tenant waives a tenant’s rights under this section if the tenant or any dependent living with the tenant moves into base housing or other housing within 30 miles of the dwelling. A waiver under this section must be signed and in writing in a document separate from the lease and must comply with federal law. A waiver under this section does not apply if:
1. the tenant or the tenant’s dependent moves into housing owned or occupied by family or relatives of the tenant or the tenant’s dependent; or
2. the tenant and the tenant’s dependent move, wholly or partly, because of a significant financial loss of income caused by the tenant’s military service.

k) For purposes of Subsection (j), “significant financial loss of income” means a reduction of 10 percent or more of the tenant’s household income caused by the tenant’s military service. A landlord is entitled to verify the significant financial loss of income in order to determine whether a tenant is entitled to terminate a lease if the tenant has signed a waiver under this section and moves within 30 miles of the dwelling into housing that is not owned or occupied by family or relatives of the tenant or the tenant’s dependent. For purposes of this subsection, a pay stub or other statement of earnings issued by the tenant’s employer is sufficient verification.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.