Is this Texas lease agreement template free?

Yes, our Texas lease agreement template is completely free. No signup, no hidden fees. Download as PDF or Word instantly.

Is this lease agreement valid in Texas?

This template is designed to comply with Texas (TX) state laws as of 2026. However, we recommend having important legal documents reviewed by a licensed Texas attorney.

What are Texas's requirements for a lease agreement?

Texas has specific requirements for lease agreements that may differ from other states. Our builder automatically includes all TX-required clauses and disclosures. See the state law summary table above for details.

Do I need a lawyer to create a lease agreement in Texas?

While Texas does not require a lawyer to create a lease agreement, consulting with a licensed Texas attorney is recommended for complex situations or high-value matters.

Can I use this template for any county in Texas?

Yes, this template is designed for use throughout Texas. However, some counties may have additional local requirements. Check with your local court or government office for any county-specific rules.

Is there a security deposit limit in Texas?

No. Texas does not impose a statutory limit on security deposit amounts. However, landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating and provide an itemized list of any deductions (Tex. Prop. Code §92.103).

Does Texas have rent control?

No. Texas state law (Tex. Gov. Code §214.902) explicitly prohibits municipalities from enacting rent control ordinances. Landlords are free to set and increase rents without statutory caps.

What happens if a tenant breaks the lease early in Texas?

The tenant may be liable for the remaining rent, but the landlord has a statutory duty to mitigate damages by making reasonable efforts to re-let the property (Tex. Prop. Code §91.006). The tenant is only responsible for rent until a new tenant is found, plus any re-letting costs.

How much notice must a Texas landlord give before entering?

Texas law does not specify a minimum notice period for landlord entry. However, most lease agreements include a reasonable notice provision (typically 24 hours), and entry should be at reasonable times for legitimate purposes.

What security devices must a Texas landlord provide?

Under Tex. Prop. Code §92.153, landlords must provide window latches, keyed deadbolts on exterior doors, sliding door pin locks or security bars, and peepholes on exterior doors lacking windows. Tenants can request additional or rekeyed security devices at the landlord's expense.

Can a Texas landlord lock out a tenant for non-payment?

Only under limited circumstances. Tex. Prop. Code §92.0081 allows landlords to change locks if the lease authorizes it, rent is delinquent, and written notice is provided. However, the landlord must provide a key to the new lock within 24 hours of the tenant's request, at any hour.

Are late fees regulated in Texas?

Texas does not impose a statutory cap on late fees, but they must be reasonable. The lease should clearly specify the late fee amount and any grace period. Unreasonably high fees may be challenged in court.

What are a Texas tenant's repair rights?

Under Tex. Prop. Code §92.056, if a landlord fails to make repairs affecting health or safety within a reasonable time (typically 7 days after written notice), the tenant may terminate the lease, repair and deduct up to one month's rent, or seek a court order for repairs.

Free Texas Lease Agreement Template 2026

Create a lease agreement that complies with Texas (TX) state laws. Our template includes all required clauses, disclosures, and state-specific provisions.

No signup required. Free PDF and Word download.

Texas Lease Agreement Laws & Requirements

Security Deposit Limit	No statutory limit
Deposit Return Period	30 days
Late Fee Rules	Must be reasonable; charged after 2nd day past due
Grace Period	2 days
Notice to Quit (Non-Payment)	3 days
Notice to Quit (Month-to-Month)	30 days
Required Disclosures	lead-paint, landlord-identity, security-device-duties, late-fee-policy, smoke-detector
Governing Statute	Tex. Prop. Code §§ 91-92

Texas-Specific Requirements

Texas has specific laws governing lease agreements that differ from other states. Understanding these requirements is essential to creating a legally compliant document.

Our template automatically includes all Texas-required provisions, disclosures, and clauses when you select Texas as your state in the document builder.

How to Create Your Texas Lease Agreement

1
Click "Create Document"
Texas will be pre-selected as your state.
2
Answer the guided questions
Fill in the details specific to your situation. Texas-required fields will be highlighted.
3
Review and download
Preview your completed Texas lease agreement, then download as PDF or Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Texas Lease Agreement Laws Overview

Texas landlord-tenant law is governed primarily by the Texas Property Code, Title 8, Chapter 92 (Residential Tenancies). Unlike many other states, Texas does not have statewide rent control, giving landlords significant flexibility in setting rental rates. However, the state imposes strict requirements regarding security deposits, lock changes, and smoke/CO detector maintenance.

Texas is notably tenant-friendly in certain areas: landlords must make a diligent effort to re-let a unit if a tenant breaks a lease early, and tenants have a statutory right to repair and deduct for conditions affecting health and safety. The Texas Property Code also grants tenants the right to request security device installations and repairs.

Lease agreements in Texas should carefully address security deposit handling, as Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code §92.103-92.109) provides detailed rules about deposit refunds, itemized deductions, and penalties for bad-faith retention. Landlords who fail to comply may be liable for three times the deposit amount plus attorney fees.

Key Fact	Detail
Governing Statute	Tex. Prop. Code §92
Security Deposit Limit	No statutory limit
Deposit Return Deadline	30 days
Rent Control	Prohibited by state law
Late Fee Rules	Must be reasonable; no statutory cap
Landlord Entry Notice	No statutory requirement (reasonable notice recommended)
Lease Required in Writing	Yes, if term exceeds 1 year

Texas Requirements & Disclosures

Required Disclosures

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Required for all housing built before 1978. Landlord must provide EPA pamphlet and disclose known lead paint hazards.

42 U.S.C. §4852d

Landlord/Agent Identity

The lease must disclose the name and address of the property owner and any management company authorized to act on the owner's behalf.

Tex. Prop. Code §92.201

Smoke Detector Compliance

Landlord must ensure working smoke detectors are installed at the beginning of the tenancy and disclose their location.

Tex. Prop. Code §92.255

Right to Repair and Deduct

Tenants must be informed of their right to request repairs and the remedies available if the landlord fails to act.

Tex. Prop. Code §92.056

Security Device Duties

Landlord must provide and maintain security devices including door locks, window latches, sliding door pin locks, and peepholes.

Tex. Prop. Code §92.153

Parking Rules Disclosure

If vehicle towing rules apply, landlord must provide written notice of the rules, including the phone number and address of the towing company.

Tex. Prop. Code §92.0131

Mandatory Clauses

Security Deposit Terms

Must specify the deposit amount, conditions for deductions, and the 30-day return period mandated by Tex. Prop. Code §92.103.

Rent and Payment Terms

Must clearly state the monthly rent amount, due date, and acceptable payment methods.

Duty to Mitigate

Texas law requires landlords to make a diligent effort to re-let the property if the tenant breaks the lease (Tex. Prop. Code §91.006).

Security Devices

Lease must address the landlord's obligation to install and maintain locks, deadbolts, peepholes, and other security devices.

Prohibited Clauses

Waiver of Landlord Liability for Negligence

Clauses that attempt to release the landlord from liability for personal injuries caused by the landlord's negligence are void.

Waiver of Right to Repair and Deduct

Lease provisions that waive the tenant's statutory right to repair and deduct for health/safety issues are unenforceable (Tex. Prop. Code §92.006).

Unauthorized Lockout Clauses

Provisions allowing the landlord to lock out a tenant without following proper legal procedures are prohibited (Tex. Prop. Code §92.0081).

Relevant Texas Statutes (Tex. Prop. Code)

Section	Title	Description
§92.001	Definitions	Defines key terms used in the Texas residential tenancy chapter, including "dwelling," "landlord," and "tenant."
§92.052	Landlord's Duty to Repair	Requires landlords to make diligent efforts to repair conditions that materially affect the health or safety of tenants.
§92.056	Tenant Remedies for Repair	Outlines tenant remedies when landlord fails to repair, including rent reduction, repair and deduct, and lease termination.
§92.103	Security Deposit Return	Requires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions.
§92.109	Bad Faith Retention	Landlord who retains a security deposit in bad faith is liable for $100 plus three times the wrongfully withheld amount, plus attorney fees.
§92.153	Security Devices Required	Specifies the security devices landlords must provide, including deadbolts, window latches, peepholes, and sliding door locks.
§92.331	Retaliation	Prohibits landlord retaliation against tenants who exercise legal rights, report code violations, or participate in tenant organizations.
§91.006	Duty to Mitigate Damages	Requires landlords to make reasonable efforts to re-let the unit if a tenant breaks the lease early.

Texas Notice Periods

Action	Required Notice	Statute
Non-Payment of Rent (Pay or Quit)	3 days (unless lease specifies otherwise)	Tex. Prop. Code §24.005
Lease Violation (Notice to Vacate)	3 days (unless lease specifies otherwise)	Tex. Prop. Code §24.005
Month-to-Month Termination	30 days (unless lease specifies otherwise)	Tex. Prop. Code §91.001
Rent Increase (Month-to-Month)	30 days recommended (no statute)	Common practice
Repair Request Response	7 days (reasonable time)	Tex. Prop. Code §92.056
Security Deposit Return	30 days after move-out	Tex. Prop. Code §92.103