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.
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[ not confirmed ]
- 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
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
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.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Waiver of tenant rights: certain tenant rights under Texas law may not be waived by agreement — helps prevent coercive lease terms.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
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.