Free · No account required · Texas law 2026

Your landlord
knows the law.
Now you do too.

RenterRights tells you exactly what Texas law says about your situation — in plain English. Understand your rights and generate a legal demand letter in under 60 seconds.

See how it works
No lawyer required
Based on Texas Property Code
Results in under 60 seconds
4.5M
Texas households
that rent
3×
Your deposit back if
wrongfully withheld
30
Days landlord has
to return your deposit
7
Days to fix a health
or safety repair
The problem
The information gap
costs renters every day

Your landlord almost certainly knows Texas tenant law. Their property management company has attorneys on retainer. They know exactly how long they can delay your deposit, what repairs they can ignore, and which lease clauses are difficult to challenge.

Most renters don't know any of this. And that gap is intentional — it costs landlords nothing to be uninformed, and it costs tenants thousands.

A one-hour consultation with a tenant attorney in Houston costs $200–$400. Most deposit disputes aren't worth that. So landlords keep the money, ignore the repairs, and face zero consequences.

"Most people just accept it because they don't know they can fight back."

— Houston Tenants Union
🔒
Illegal lockouts happen constantly
Self-help evictions are illegal in Texas. But landlords do it anyway, banking on tenants not knowing they can walk back in and sue for damages.
💰
Deposits disappear without cause
Landlords routinely deduct for normal wear and tear — which is illegal. Most tenants assume the deduction is legitimate and don't dispute it.
🔧
Repairs go unfixed for months
Texas law gives landlords 7 days to fix health and safety issues after written notice. Almost no renters know to put that request in writing.
⚡
Retaliation is illegal — few know it
Filed a repair complaint? Your landlord is legally prohibited from raising your rent or threatening eviction for 6 months after. Most renters never push back.
How it works
From confused to prepared in three steps

No legal knowledge required. Describe your situation and get the law explained — with a demand letter ready to send in under 60 seconds.

1
Describe your situation
Select your issue type and describe what happened in plain language — just tell us what's going on.
2
Get your rights explained
RenterRights pulls the exact Texas Property Code sections that apply and explains them in plain English.
3
Send a demand letter
Generate a professional, statute-citing demand letter ready to send via certified mail — landlords take it seriously.
Step 1 — Your situation
What's going on?
💰 Security deposit
🔧 Repairs ignored
📋 Eviction notice
"My landlord kept $900 of my deposit. It's been 38 days and no itemized list..."
Analyze My Rights →
Step 2 — Your rights
⚖ Texas Property Code § 92.109
Wrongful deposit withholding
You may be owed 3× your deposit + $100
Step 1: Send demand letter
Step 2: File in JP Court
Step 3 — Your letter
Demand letter
📋 Copy
🖨 Print

Your rights don't expire.
Use them today.

Free, no account, results in 60 seconds. Powered by the Texas Property Code.

What's covered
Six of the most common
tenant disputes, handled
💰
Security deposits
Not returned, illegal deductions, or withheld past the deadline. Texas law is on your side — most tenants just don't know it.
30-day return window · 3× penalty
🔧
Repairs & habitability
Mold, broken AC, plumbing failures, pest infestations. Landlords have 7 days to fix health and safety issues after written notice.
7-day repair obligation
🌊
Flood non-disclosure
Houston landlords must disclose flood history in writing before you sign. If they didn't, you may have grounds to break your lease.
Texas § 92.0135
📋
Eviction notices
Received a notice to vacate? Know your options, deadlines, and defenses before you panic. A 2026 law gives first-time late payers 72 hours.
6 days to respond · free appeal
🔒
Lockouts & utility cutoffs
Changing your locks or shutting off utilities to force you out is illegal in Texas. Period. You have immediate legal remedies available.
Emergency JP Court orders
⚡
Landlord retaliation
Complained about repairs and then got a rent increase or eviction notice? That's illegal for 6 months after your complaint under Texas law.
6-month protection window
Why trust us
Built for renters,
not for landlords
📖
Real Texas law
Every response cites the specific Texas Property Code section that applies. Not opinions — actual statutes you can look up yourself.
🆓
Completely free
No subscription, no account, no hidden fees. The law is public — information about it should be too.
⚡
Under 60 seconds
Legal processes have tight deadlines. From describing your situation to a ready-to-send demand letter in under a minute.
⚖️
Not a replacement
We're not lawyers and this isn't legal advice. For court filings and serious disputes, we'll point you to free legal aid in your area.
The tool

Check your rights now

1
Situation
2
Your rights
3
Letter
Step 1 of 3
What's going on?
Select your situation, then describe what happened in your own words.
Legal disclaimer: RenterRights provides general information based on the Texas Property Code — not legal advice. For evictions, court filings, or serious disputes, contact Lone Star Legal Aid at 713-652-0077 or consult a licensed Texas attorney.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes, completely free. No account, no credit card, no premium tier. RenterRights is built on the belief that access to legal information shouldn't require money. The Texas Property Code is public law — understanding it should be too.
No. RenterRights provides general legal information based on the Texas Property Code — not legal advice tailored to your specific legal situation. For court filings, eviction defense, or disputes over large amounts, we strongly recommend contacting Lone Star Legal Aid at 713-652-0077 (free for income-eligible renters) or a licensed Texas attorney.
Often yes. A letter that cites specific Texas Property Code sections signals to a landlord that you know your rights and are prepared to act. Many disputes are resolved at the letter stage because landlords don't want to appear in Justice Court — especially when the penalties for violations can be significant (like 3× the deposit amount for wrongful withholding).
Use the free-text field to describe your situation in your own words. The app will do its best to identify the relevant law. If your issue is highly specific or complex, we'll indicate that professional legal guidance is recommended and provide the appropriate local resources.
Yes. The core Texas Property Code applies statewide. Some guidance references Houston-specific rules (like flood disclosure requirements or the Harris County court system), but the foundational rights around deposits, repairs, evictions, and retaliation apply to all Texas renters regardless of city.
Texas Justice of the Peace Courts (small claims) are specifically designed to be accessible without an attorney. The filing fee is under $100, no lawyer is required, and thousands of Texans successfully resolve landlord disputes there every year. A demand letter citing the correct statute is often enough to resolve issues before any court filing is needed.