Texas Lease Agreement Templates (6)

A Texas lease agreement is a binding document that outlines the responsibilities and duties of a landlord and tenant and discusses renting a property for a period of time. The document discusses terms such as the stay duration, rent costs, fees, guidelines, and state laws. This legally binding agreement grants the right to use a landlord’s property for residential or commercial needs.

Last updated September 19th, 2024

A Texas lease agreement is a binding document that outlines the responsibilities and duties of a landlord and tenant and discusses renting a property for a period of time. The document discusses terms such as the stay duration, rent costs, fees, guidelines, and state laws. This legally binding agreement grants the right to use a landlord’s property for residential or commercial needs.

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By Type (6)

Standard Lease Agreement – A typical lease where a renter agrees to pay a landlord for the right to use their residential property.
Commercial Lease Agreement – A lease in which a business agrees to pay a landlord for the right to use its commercial property for retail, industrial, or office purposes.
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A document that allows for no specific end date and remains active until the tenant or landlord terminates the lease.
Rent-to-Own Agreement – An agreement between a tenant and landlord in which the renter can purchase the property under specific circumstances.
Roommate AgreementA legal document used to discuss the responsibilities of two people living on the same property and sharing a common space.
Sublease Agreement – A contract between the tenant of the property and a subtenant in which the landlord approves the lease of their space.

Disclosures (7)

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – For any property built before 1978, the landlord must disclose the lead paint document and have the tenant sign it. EPA/HUD Fact Sheet

Landlord’s Contact Details – In Texas, the landlord must provide the tenant with the name and address of the property owner and/or the property manager. § 92.201

100-Year Flood Plain – The landlord must disclose whether the rental property is located in a 100-Year Flood Plain area. § 92.0135

Parking and Towing Rules – The landlord is responsible for familiarizing the tenant with the parking rules in any multi-unit property. The tenant must sign the agreement acknowledging they are acquainted with the parking and towing policies. § 92.0131

Tenant’s Remedies – If the unit is in need of repair then the tenant must notify the landlord. The landlord then has 7 days to start repair or assignment of a repair. If the landlord fails to repair the unit, the tenant may fix the issue themselves and charge the landlord by deducting from the monthly rent or terminate the lease agreement.   § 92.056(g)

Special Conditions to Cancel Agreement – In the lease agreement, a disclosure must be included to terminate a lease in an extreme occurrence. Under special circumstances, tenants have “statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving family violence or a military deployment or transfer.” § 92.016(f)

Security Deposit

Maximum Amount – There is no limit on the amount that a landlord can charge a tenant for a security deposit in Texas.

Collecting Interest – There is no mention of collecting interest on security deposits in the state of Texas.

Returning to Tenant – The landlord is required to return the security deposit to the tenant within 30 days of the lease’s end. § 92.103

  • Note – The departing tenant must provide the landlord with a forwarding address to receive their security deposit. However, if the tenant does not provide a forwarding address, then they do not forgo the security deposit funds. § 92.107

Landlord Access

General Access – In Texas, There are no specific restrictions on a landlord’s entry into a tenant’s unit without notification.

Emergency Access – A landlord has the right to enter their rented property in the case of an emergency or repair.   The Tenants Rights Handbook (page 6)

Paying Rent

Grace Period – There is a 2-day grace period for late payment in the state of Texas. After the grace period, the landlord may charge a reasonable late fee, and it must be written in the lease agreement. § 92.019(a)

Maximum Late Fee – If the rental property has 5 or more units, the maximum late fee a tenant may be charged is 10%. If it has 4 or fewer units, the maximum late fee is 12%. § 92.019(a-1)(1)

Returned Checks (NSF) – Writing a bad rent check to a landlord in the state of Texas may result in a maximum fee of $30. (Business and Commerce Code, §3.506(a))

Reasons for Eviction (4)

Landlord Repairs – The landlord shall be informed of any repairs to the unit that may affect the tenant’s health or safety. (§ 92.052)

Lockouts – A landlord is prohibited from locking a tenant out of the rental property unless they have a judicial grant or a legitimate cause and follow state law. (§ 92.0081(b))

Non-Compliance – If a tenant fails to pay rent or breaches the lease agreement, they may be evicted after they have been served a 3-day notice to quit or compy.

Non-Payment of Rent – A tenant who fails to pay rent on time may be evicted from the rental property. The tenant may receive a three-day notice to quit or comply. (§ 24.005)