Texas Tenant Harassment Laws
Texas provides significant protections against self-help eviction — unauthorized lockouts trigger liability for one month's rent plus $500, and unauthorized utility shutoffs result in liability for one month's rent plus $1,000, plus actual damages and attorney's fees.
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Key Rules
- Retaliation Prohibited
- Yes — retaliatory evictions and rent increases within 6 months of tenant complaint are presumed retaliatory
- Self Help Prohibited
- Yes — lockouts and utility shutoffs without court order are prohibited under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081
- Lockout Remedies
- Tenant may recover actual damages, one month's rent plus $500, and attorney's fees for illegal lockout
- Utility Shutoff Remedies
- Tenant may recover actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, and attorney's fees for utility shutoff
Applicable Statutes
Retaliatory action by landlord prohibited: landlord may not evict, threaten, or otherwise retaliate against tenant within 6 months after tenant complains about housing conditions in good faith.
Waiver of tenant rights: certain tenant rights under Texas law may not be waived by agreement — helps prevent coercive lease terms.
Legal Aid Resources
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Not Legal Advice. This site provides general educational information only — not legal counsel. Laws vary by location. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.