Texas Landlord Tenant Law

When a property owner leases out his or her property to a tenant for a specified fee, they enter into a legally binding relationship covered by the Texas Landlord Tenant Law. This law lays down some basic stipulations to ensure fairness between landlord and tenant and to prevent either party from taking undue advantage of the other.

The following factors are part of the Texas Landlord Tenant Law:

• Lease: This may be an oral or written agreement between the landlord and tenant. For the protection of both parties, it is recommended that the lease be a formal, written document duly signed by both.
• Non-discrimination: Landlords are required to not discriminate between tenants or refuse to lease the property on any basis, be it gender, race, sex or religion.
• Sublease: The law prohibits tenants from subleasing the property, unless such a right is mentioned specifically in the rental agreement.
• Repair: While the landlord must take care of all major repair work, minor repairs are not the responsibility of the landlord. Major repair is defined by the law as any condition that may affect the safety or health of the tenant.
• Security: The law required landlords to provide basic security to the property and premises. This consists of, but is not limited to, lockable doors and windows, well-lit common areas and pools secured by fences and latches.
• Security Deposit: Under the Texas Security Deposit law, the landlord must refund the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant moves out or provide a written account for why the deposit is not being refunded.