Texas Residential Lease Agreement

Floodplain & flood history notice (mandatory text)

Texas leases must include a written notice — in the lease or as a signed addendum — stating whether the landlord is aware that the dwelling is in a 100-year floodplain, plus FEMA flood-map guidance and a warning that most renter policies exclude flood damage. If the landlord knows the dwelling flooded in the last 5 years, a second statutory notice is required. Not required for leases under 30 days.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.0135

Repair remedies in underlined or bold print

Every Texas lease must contain language — underlined or in bold print — informing the tenant of the remedies available when a landlord fails to repair conditions affecting health or safety, including the repair-and-deduct remedy.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.056(g), §92.0561

Late fees only if disclosed in the written lease

A landlord may not collect a late fee unless notice of the fee is in the written lease, the fee is reasonable, and rent is at least 2 full days late. A fee is presumed reasonable at up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings of 4 units or fewer) or 10% (larger buildings). Violations cost the landlord $100 + 3x the fee + attorney’s fees.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.019

Vehicle towing & parking rules (multiunit complexes)

In a multiunit complex, the landlord must give the tenant a copy of any towing or parking rules before the lease is signed — signed separately by the tenant, or included in the lease under a heading reading "Parking" or "Parking Rules" in capitalized, underlined, or bold print.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.0131

Ownership and management disclosure

On a tenant’s request, the landlord has 7 days to disclose in writing the record owner’s name and address and any off-site management company. Including the information in the lease itself satisfies the duty up front — our template has a field for it.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.201

Lead-based paint (federal, pre-1978 buildings)

For housing built before 1978: disclose known lead-based paint hazards, provide the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home," and include the federal lead warning language.

Source: 42 U.S.C. §4852d

How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Texas?

Texas does not set a statutory cap on the security deposit, so the amount is negotiable — but it must be returned within 30 days after you move out (as of 2026). Source: Tex. Prop. Code §92.103.

Is this lease valid in Texas?

A written lease that identifies the parties, the property, the term, and the rent is generally enforceable in Texas once both sides sign. What it cannot do is contract around Texas law: the deposit rules, entry notice, and habitability duties below apply whether or not the lease mentions them.

Can a landlord charge late fees in Texas?

Only if in written lease, reasonable, and rent unpaid two full days after due date; safe harbor 12% of rent (≤4 units in structure) or 10% (>4 units). Source: Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019 (Acts 2019, S.B. 1414, eff. Sept. 1, 2019).

Can a tenant repair and deduct rent in Texas?

Permitted after statutory notices and landlord failure (§ 92.056); deduction capped at the greater of one month's rent or $500 per month. Source: Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0561(b).

What does a landlord have to disclose in Texas?

Under Texas law: Floodplain & flood history notice (mandatory text) (Tex. Prop. Code §92.0135); Repair remedies in underlined or bold print (Tex. Prop. Code §92.056(g), §92.0561); Late fees only if disclosed in the written lease (Tex. Prop. Code §92.019); Vehicle towing & parking rules (multiunit complexes) (Tex. Prop. Code §92.0131); Ownership and management disclosure (Tex. Prop. Code §92.201); Lead-based paint (federal, pre-1978 buildings) (42 U.S.C. §4852d). Federal and local rules can add more; each item on this page links to the law it comes from.