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Rental Application –Landlords and Property Owners use this form to run a background check and employment history on the Tenant(s) prior to signing the rental lease agreement form.
What does the Texas Rental Lease Agreement Template Cover?
This Texas residential lease agreement includes the following details for landlords and tenants in Texas:
- Texas Landlord-Tenant Relationship Laws
- Security Deposit Law
- Lease Termination
- Landlord’s Right to Access the Property
- Rent Due Date and Late Fees
- Eviction Process
- Property Maintenance
- Required Disclosure Forms
- Abandonment by Tenant
Texas Landlord-Tenant Relationship Laws
The Texas Property Code (Title 8, Chapter 92) governs the relationship between landlords and tenants in Texas.
Security Deposit Laws
- 30-Days – Landlords must return deposit to Tenants within thirty days of the lease end date.
- Itemized Deductions – An itemized list must be given to the Tenant if any deductions are taken out.
- Maximum Deposit – There is no maximum rent a Landlords can charge a Tenant in Texas
Lease Termination Rules
- Month-to-month: – Two ways: The date written in the notice or one (1) month after the notice is received by the tenant. If the rent period is under 30 days then it ends one day after the last day of rent period.
- No notice required: If both parties agree in writing.
Landlord’s Access to the Rental Property Notices
Although Texas does not mandate a notice prior to entry, Landlords should give reasonable notice to Tenants before entering the rental property, except if there is an emergency.
Rent Due Dates and Late Fees
- Grace Period – Two (2) day grace period in Texas. Landlords can issue a 3-day notice to quit on the third day of no rent payment.
- Late Fees – Up to 12% of the monthly rent for properties with four (4) or less units and 10% of the monthly rent for properties with five (5) or more units.
Eviction Process for Landlords
- Notice to Pay or Quit – Landlords must provide a —day notice before beginning the eviction process.
Property Owner Maintenance Requirements
Landlords are required to keep rental properties safe and livable and follow the rules in the Texas Property Code.
Required Disclosure Forms Tenants Must Receive (7)
Landlords in Texas must disclose the following information to Tenants:
- Flood Plain Disclosure – Landlords are required to inform tenants if the property is within a 100-year flood plain.
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form – For properties built before 1978, landlords must give the tenant a lead-based paint disclosure form.
- Property Ownership and Management Info – Landlords must provide tenants with the name and full address of the property owner and management company.
- Utility Interruption Rights – If landlords have the authority to cut off utilities for nonpayment, they must outline this in the lease agreement and give advance notice to the tenant before any service interruption.
- Right to Terminate Lease Early – The lease agreement must outline situations where a tenant can legally break the lease, such as in cases of domestic violence or military deployment/transfer.
- Parking Rules for Texas Properties – Landlords managing multi-unit properties must provide tenants with written details about parking and towing regulations.
- Tenant’s Rights for Repairs – The lease must inform tenants about their legal rights when making any necessary repairs to the property.
Abandonment by Tenant
- Absense – Texas law does not state a minimum duration of absence required for a residential property to be considered abandoned by a tenant.
- Breaking the Lease – If the Tenant needs to break the lease due to being a victim of violence, a victim (or parent of victim) of a sex offense or stalking, or due to military obligations.
- Unclaimed Property – The landlord is required to store any abandoned personal property left by the tenant for up to sixty (60) days. After the sixty (60) days, the landlord may dispose of the abandoned personal property.