Texas · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Texas tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Texas must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must make a diligent effort to repair any condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant, after notice, if you are current on rent.

Repair and deduct
Allowed (with conditions)
Withholding rent
Not allowed
Notice before entry
No statute

Repairs in Texas

The landlord's duty
The landlord must make a diligent effort to repair any condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant, after notice, if you are current on rent. Not for damage caused by you, your household or guests (other than normal wear and tear). The landlord must also provide smoke alarms and required security devices (deadbolts, window latches). Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.052, 92.056.
How to ask for repairs
Give notice to the person or place where you pay rent. Then, after a reasonable time, send a second written notice, or send the first notice by certified mail or another tracked mail service. Seven days is presumed a reasonable time. You must not be behind on rent when you send any notice.
Repair and deduct
Allowed in limited cases, up to the greater of one month's rent or $500 per month. You must be current on rent, give the required notices (at least one saying you intend to repair), and the problem must be sewage backup or flooding inside, total loss of water, inadequate heat or cooling certified by a local official, or another health/safety condition certified by a local official. Then: sewage/flooding can be fixed right away; water, heat or cooling after 3 days; other conditions after 7 days. An independent company, contractor or repair person must do the work (licensed if your city requires it), not you, your family or your employer, unless the landlord agrees otherwise; no work on the foundation or load-bearing parts of a building with 2 or more units. Give the landlord a copy of the bill and receipt with the rest of your rent. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0561 (amended by HB 2037, effective September 1, 2025).
Withholding rent
No. Withholding rent is not allowed and you must be current on rent to use repair remedies. Instead, a justice court can order repairs (up to $20,000), reduce your rent, and award a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $500, damages and attorney fees. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0563.
Law
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.052, 92.056, 92.0561, 92.0563

Landlord entry in Texas

No statute. Texas law does not set a notice period for landlord entry; your lease controls.

Retaliation in Texas

For 6 months after you exercise a legal right, give a repair notice, complain in good faith to a code agency, utility or nonprofit, or join a tenant group, the landlord may not file an eviction (except for listed reasons such as unpaid rent), cut services, raise rent, end your lease, or harass you. Remedies include one month's rent plus $500, damages, moving costs and attorney fees. Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.331-92.333.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Texas: Give notice to the person or place where you pay rent.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Texas

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Texas's rule on asking for repairs:Give notice to the person or place where you pay rent. Then, after a reasonable time, send a second written notice, or send the first notice by certified mail or another tracked mail service. Seven days is presumed a reasonable time. You must not be behind on rent when you send any notice.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Texas

Questions about repairs in Texas

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Texas?

Give notice to the person or place where you pay rent. Then, after a reasonable time, send a second written notice, or send the first notice by certified mail or another tracked mail service. Seven days is presumed a reasonable time. You must not be behind on rent when you send any notice.

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Texas?

Allowed in limited cases, up to the greater of one month's rent or $500 per month. You must be current on rent, give the required notices (at least one saying you intend to repair), and the problem must be sewage backup or flooding inside, total loss of water, inadequate heat or cooling certified by a local official, or another health/safety condition certified by a local official. Then: sewage/flooding can be fixed right away; water, heat or cooling after 3 days; other conditions after 7 days. An independent company, contractor or repair person must do the work (licensed if your city requires it), not you, your family or your employer, unless the landlord agrees otherwise; no work on the foundation or load-bearing parts of a building with 2 or more units. Give the landlord a copy of the bill and receipt with the rest of your rent. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0561 (amended by HB 2037, effective September 1, 2025).

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Texas?

No. Withholding rent is not allowed and you must be current on rent to use repair remedies. Instead, a justice court can order repairs (up to $20,000), reduce your rent, and award a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $500, damages and attorney fees. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0563.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Texas?

No statute. Texas law does not set a notice period for landlord entry; your lease controls.

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Texas?

For 6 months after you exercise a legal right, give a repair notice, complain in good faith to a code agency, utility or nonprofit, or join a tenant group, the landlord may not file an eviction (except for listed reasons such as unpaid rent), cut services, raise rent, end your lease, or harass you. Remedies include one month's rent plus $500, damages, moving costs and attorney fees. Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.331-92.333.

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.