Texas
Rental Application Form – This template is used to check a potential Tenant’s employment, background, and credit history to make sure they are suitable for the property and can pay the rent amount. The Tenant gives the Landlord consent with a written signature on the form.
Texas Room (Roommate) Rental Lease Agreement
Sample Texas Association of Realtors Lease
Rental Application Form – This form is used by Landlords to get potential Tenants written consent before signing the Apartment Association residential lease agreement.
Texas Landlord Tenant Laws
Residential Title 8, Chapter 92, Subchapter A – This chapter outlines the relationship between Landlords and Tenants, including definitions, landlord responsibilities, tenant rights, and legal remedies for issues for utilities, repairs, and legal actions. [1]
Sources
Sample Texas Apartment Association Residential Lease
Purchase Agreement – The contract becomes a purchase agreement if the Tenant decides to buy the property.
Sample Texas Lease-to-Own Purchase Option Agreement
Laws
- Termination Notice: To end a month-to-month lease a 30 days’ notice is needed. For a week-to-week lease, 7 days’ notice is required. If the notice sets a later termination date, the Tenant will pay rent for the extra days. [1][2][3]
- Rent Increases: Landlords can raise rent as long as they follow the lease terms or give 30 days’ notice for acceptance or termination.
Sources
Sample Texas Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
Rental Application Form – This form is used to run a background check and employment history on the Tenant(s) prior to signing the Texas rental lease agreement form.
Adding an Amendment to the Residential Lease Agreement Texas
If both parties agree then a lease addendum can be added to the lease and then both parties sign.
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. [1] The Lease must include the following words:
The Landlord ☐ is or ☐ is not aware that the dwelling you are renting is located in a 100-year floodplain. If neither box is checked, you should assume the dwelling is in a 100-year floodplain. Even if the dwelling is not in a 100-year floodplain, the dwelling may still be susceptible to flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains a flood map on its Internet website that is searchable by address, at no cost, to determine if a dwelling is located in a flood hazard area. Most tenant insurance policies do not cover damages or loss incurred in a flood. You should seek insurance coverage that would cover losses caused by a flood.
- 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. [2]
- 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. [3]
- Parking Rules for Texas Properties – Landlords managing multi-unit properties must provide tenants with written details about parking and towing regulations. [4]
- Tenant’s Rights for Repairs – The lease must inform tenants about their legal rights when making any necessary repairs to the property. [5]
Sources
Sample Texas Residential Lease Agreement
Texas Association of Realtors [PDF] – Members on the Texas Association of Realtors only.
Texas Rental Application Fee Laws
- Application Fee – No limit.
- Security Deposit Fee – No statute.
- Disclosure – Applicant must receive a Disclosure of Criteria from Landlord and provide written notice they received this disclosure form. [1]
- Application Refund Rules – The application must receive an application refund if they did not get the Disclosure of Criteria form prior to signing the consent for background check. [2]
- Rejected Applicant – Automatically will know if the application was rejected if notice has been more than seven (7) days. [3]
Sources
Sample Texas Rental Application Form
Rental Application Form –Landlords and Property Owners use this form to run a background check and employment history on the Tenant(s) prior to signing the Texas 1-page rental lease agreement form. Includes Association of Realtors version.
By Type
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Residential Lease Agreement – Free downloadable standard 1-year lease agreement template. Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Apartment Association Lease Agreement Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Association of Realtors Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Commercial Lease Agreement – Used for retail spaces, office buildings, warehouses, and industrial facilities. Download: PDF |
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Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – Tenancy at will with renewals every 30 days. Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Rent to Own Lease Agreement – A lease that includes an option for the tenant to purchase the property. Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Roommate Lease Agreement – Shared living arrangements. A binding contract outlining responsibilities and agreements between co-tenants. Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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Sublease Agreement – Used to Sublet unit with landlords approval. Download: PDF | Word (.docx) |
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.
Sources
Sample Texas Standard Rental Lease Template
A Texas Bill of Sale is a legal document confirming property transfer from one individual to another. It is an important affidavit that serves as proof of ownership, similar to a receipt but with greater legal significance.
Odometer Disclosure Statement – This form must be included if the vehicle is under ten years old and/or under 16,000 lbs.
By Type
Boat Bill of Sale
Download:
Dog / Puppy Bill of Sale
Download:
Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale
Download:
Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Download:
Motor Vehicle (Car) Bill of Sale
Download:
⚖️ Texas Registration Documents (Required)
- Odometer Disclosure Statement
- Title Registration Application – Online PDF Fillable Form
Source: Texas DMV
Texas Laws
A Bill of Sale document is not strictly required by law in Texas, but it is highly recommended as it establishes a strong foundation for ownership rights and can help to avoid potential future legal complications.
Notary – a public officer who can witness the signatures of the buyer and seller.
What to Include in a Texas Bill of Sale Form?
- The buyer’s name + address
- The seller’s name + address
- Registration Application
- The vehicle/car description (make, model, year, + body style)
- The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The sale date
- Transaction details (purchase: price, trade, and/or gift)
- The warranty information (sold “as-is”)
- The Odometer Disclosure
- The Federal Law, 49 U.S. Code § 32705, requires a bill of sale to include a verifying statement about the vehicle’s mileage. Vehicles greater than ten years old and over 16,000 pounds are exempt.
How do I get Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)?
The 2019 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) started on December 28, 2018, after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approved the 2019 fees. Enforcement begins on April 30, 2019. Register at www.UCR.gov.
What are the Bill of Sale Signing Requirements? ✍️
Signing Requirements – Both parties must sign. The DMV recommends that both parties visit a County Tax Office together when the seller is transferring the vehicle’s title.
Vessels and Outboard Motors Must be Titled in Texas
- Motorized vessels, (including any sailboat with an auxiliary engine) any length.
- Non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) that are 14 feet in length or longer.
- Internal combustion such as gasoline, diesel, propane powered motors.
- Boat trailers should be registered or titled through the applicant’s local county tax office.
What is a Texas Bill of Sale Form?
In Texas, the process of buying and selling a vehicle requires the completion of a bill of sale. This document is used for the transfer of ownership for types of vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, trailers, and boats.
DMV Information
For those dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), have a printable form, whether it’s a free template or a PDF.
How to write a Bill of Sale in Texas? 📄
This form includes the vehicle’s identification number, sale amount, names, and signatures of both parties involved. Additionally, firearm and gun sales in Texas also require a similar bill of sale to document the exchange legally and safely.
The Transaction
The form can be specific to different types of transactions, such as auto, trailer, or even mobile home sales. For example, a motor vehicle bill of sale PDF is typically used for cars and trucks, while a boat bill of sale might be more specialized.
State of TX: Motorcycles and Firearm Legal Docs
The state of Texas also provides templates for various forms, including those for motorcycles and firearms, ensuring that all transactions are properly documented.