Landlord and Tenant
Landlord and Tenant
Leaseholds, repair duties, security deposits, termination, and eviction records.
Structured Visual
Jurisdiction: US; as of 2026-08-28; not legal advice; Render structure, refuse interpretation, cite, abstain, and hand off.
RENDER STRUCTURE · REFUSE INTERPRETATION · CITE · ABSTAIN · HAND-OFF: render structure, refuse interpretation, cite provenance, abstain when unsupported, and hand off to human review.
Scope and honesty note
Jurisdiction: United States common-law overview with selected Texas statutory applications; as of 2026-08-28; property regimes and local rules vary; not legal advice. Synthetic facts are classroom inputs, not findings. This lesson renders structure, refuses unsupported interpretation, cites, abstains, and hands off.
See the essential structure first
Start with this deliberately incomplete structure, then use the pinned authorities, worked application, exceptions, and handoff below. This deliberately incomplete preview has 5 nodes; exceptions and legal consequences remain in the sourced prose below.
Jurisdiction: US; as of 2026-08-28; not legal advice; Render structure, refuse interpretation, cite, abstain, and hand off.
RENDER STRUCTURE · REFUSE INTERPRETATION · CITE · ABSTAIN · HAND-OFF: render structure, refuse interpretation, cite provenance, abstain when unsupported, and hand off to human review.
Begin with the governing doctrine
A lease creates a possessory estate and contractual relationship. Landlord-tenant law separately addresses possession, rent, quiet enjoyment, repair and habitability duties, assignments and subleases, deposits, termination, and eviction procedure. Self-help eviction is restricted or prohibited in many regimes. Texas dwelling law conditions repair duties on statutory predicates. Security-deposit refund, deduction, accounting, and forwarding-address rules form one linked trace. Eviction notice is only one stage before filing and judicial process.
Pin the Texas dwelling repair duty
This provision states predicate conditions, reasonable-time language, and exceptions for a landlord's duty to repair or remedy qualifying conditions. Verbatim statutory text: “LANDLORD'S DUTY TO REPAIR OR REMEDY. (a) A landlord shall make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition if: (1) the tenant specifies the condition in a notice to the person to whom or to the place where rent is normally paid; (2) the tenant is not delinquent in the payment of rent at the time notice is given; and (3) the condition: (A) materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant; or (B) arises from the landlord's failure to provide and maintain in good operating condition a device to supply hot water of a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. (b) Unless the condition was caused by normal wear and tear, the landlord does not have a duty during the lease term or a renewal or extension to repair or remedy a condition caused by: (1) the tenant; (2) a lawful occupant in the tenant's dwelling; (3) a member of the tenant's family; or (4) a guest or invitee of the tenant. (c) This subchapter does not require the landlord: (1) to furnish utilities from a utility company if as a practical matter the utility lines of the company are not reasonably available; or (2) to furnish security guards. (d) The tenant's notice under Subsection (a) must be in writing only if the tenant's lease is in writing and requires written notice.” Source: Tex. Property Code § 92.052; https://www.neochart.com/catalog/texas/property/chapter_92/section_92_052/tex_pr_92_052_4dba8619471a/tex_property_code_sec_92_052_landlord_s_duty_to_repair_or_re_0001/index.html; data via neochart.com, snapshot 2026-08.
Pin the refund deadline
This provision requires refund of a residential security deposit on or before the thirtieth day after surrender, subject to the linked forwarding-address rule. Verbatim statutory text: “OBLIGATION TO REFUND. (a) Except as provided by Section 92.107, the landlord shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises. (b) A requirement that a tenant give advance notice of surrender as a condition for refunding the security deposit is effective only if the requirement is underlined or is printed in conspicuous bold print in the lease. (c) The tenant's claim to the security deposit takes priority over the claim of any creditor of the landlord, including a trustee in bankruptcy.” Source: Tex. Property Code § 92.103; https://www.neochart.com/catalog/texas/property/chapter_92/section_92_103/tex_pr_92_103_462903632898/tex_property_code_sec_92_103_obligation_to_refund_0001/index.html; data via neochart.com, snapshot 2026-08.
Pin retention and accounting
This provision limits retention to specified damages and charges and states when a balance and written description or itemized list must accompany the refund. Verbatim statutory text: “RETENTION OF SECURITY DEPOSIT; ACCOUNTING. (a) Before returning a security deposit, the landlord may deduct from the deposit damages and charges for which the tenant is legally liable under the lease or as a result of breaching the lease. (b) The landlord may not retain any portion of a security deposit to cover normal wear and tear. (c) If the landlord retains all or part of a security deposit under this section, the landlord shall give to the tenant the balance of the security deposit, if any, together with a written description and itemized list of all deductions. The landlord is not required to give the tenant a description and itemized list of deductions if: (1) the tenant owes rent when he surrenders possession of the premises; and (2) there is no controversy concerning the amount of rent owed.” Source: Tex. Property Code § 92.104; https://www.neochart.com/catalog/texas/property/chapter_92/section_92_104/tex_pr_92_104_1c4f7f9dc17d/tex_property_code_sec_92_104_retention_of_security_deposit_a_0001/index.html; data via neochart.com, snapshot 2026-08.
Pin the forwarding-address predicate
This provision states that the landlord is not obligated to return or account for the deposit until the tenant gives a forwarding address, without forfeiting the tenant's right. Verbatim statutory text: “TENANT'S FORWARDING ADDRESS. (a) The landlord is not obligated to return a tenant's security deposit or give the tenant a written description of damages and charges until the tenant gives the landlord a written statement of the tenant's forwarding address for the purpose of refunding the security deposit. (b) The tenant does not forfeit the right to a refund of the security deposit or the right to receive a description of damages and charges merely for failing to give a forwarding address to the landlord.” Source: Tex. Property Code § 92.107; https://www.neochart.com/catalog/texas/property/chapter_92/section_92_107/tex_pr_92_107_62c155edea1a/tex_property_code_sec_92_107_tenant_s_forwarding_address_0001/index.html; data via neochart.com, snapshot 2026-08.
Pin notice before specified eviction suits
This provision supplies real notice-to-vacate rules and exceptions before specified forcible-detainer filings. Verbatim statutory text: “NOTICE REQUIRED BEFORE FILING CERTAIN EVICTION SUITS. (a) If the occupant is a tenant under a written lease or oral rental agreement, the landlord must give a tenant who defaults or holds over beyond the end of the rental term or renewal period at least three days' written notice to vacate the premises before the landlord files a forcible detainer suit, unless the parties have contracted for a shorter or longer notice period in a written lease or agreement. In a forcible detainer suit against a tenant whose right of possession is terminated based solely on nonpayment of rent and who was not late or delinquent in paying rent to the landlord before the month in which the notice is given, written notice under this section shall be given in the form of a notice to pay rent or vacate. In a forcible detainer suit against a tenant whose right of possession is terminated based on nonpayment of rent and who was late or delinquent in paying rent to the landlord before the month in which the notice is given, written notice under this section may be given in the form of either a notice to pay rent or vacate or a notice to vacate. A landlord who files a forcible detainer suit on grounds that the tenant is holding over beyond the end of the rental term or renewal period must also comply with the tenancy termination requirements of Section 91.001. (b) If the occupant is a tenant at will or by sufferance, the landlord must give the tenant at least three days' written notice to vacate before the landlord files a forcible detainer suit unless the parties have contracted for a shorter or longer notice period in a written lease or agreement. If a building is purchased at a tax foreclosure sale or a trustee's foreclosure sale under a lien superior to the tenant's lease and the tenant timely pays rent and is not otherwise in default under the tenant's lease after foreclosure, the purchaser must give a residential tenant of the building at least 30 days' written notice to vacate if the purchaser chooses not to continue the lease. The tenant is considered to timely pay the rent under this subsection if, during the month of the foreclosure sale, the tenant pays the rent for that month to the landlord before receiving any notice that a foreclosure sale is scheduled during the month or pays the rent for that month to the foreclosing lienholder or the purchaser at foreclosure not later than the fifth day after the date of receipt of a written notice of the name and address of the purchaser that requests payment. Before a foreclosure sale, a foreclosing lienholder may give written notice to a tenant stating that a foreclosure notice has been given to the landlord or owner of the property and specifying the date of the foreclosure. (c) If the occupant is a tenant of a person who acquired possession by forcible entry, the landlord must give the person at least three days' written notice to vacate before the landlord files a forcible detainer suit. (c-1) If a federal law or rule requires a landlord to give notice to a tenant before the landlord requires the tenant to vacate the premises: (1) a landlord that satisfies the notice requirements of this section is not required to delay the filing of an eviction suit based on the federal requirement; (2) the federal requirement is not a basis for a court to delay or abate the conduct of the eviction suit; and (3) a writ of possession may not be served on the tenant until the period between the delivery of the notice under this section and the service of the writ equals or exceeds the period prescribed by the federal requirement. (d) In all situations in which the entry by the occupant was a forcible entry under Section 24.001, the person entitled to possession must give the occupant oral or written notice to vacate before the landlord files a forcible entry and detainer suit. The notice to vacate under this subsection may be to vacate immediately or by a specified deadline. (e) If the lease or applicable state or federal law or rule requires a landlord to give a tenant an opportunity to respond to a notice of proposed eviction before filing an eviction suit: (1) the notice period in a notice to pay rent or vacate or notice to vacate under Subsection (a) may, at the landlord's discretion, run concurrently with the period provided for the tenant to respond to the notice of proposed eviction; and (2) the notice to pay rent or vacate or notice to vacate may include the required opportunity to respond to the notice of proposed eviction. (f) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026. (f-1) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026. (f-2) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026. (f-3) A notice required by this section must be delivered using at least one of the following methods: (1) mail, including first class mail, registered mail, certified mail, or a delivery service; (2) delivery to the inside of the premises, in a conspicuous place; (3) hand delivery to any tenant of the premises who is 16 years of age or older; or (4) if the parties have agreed in writing, electronic communication, including e-mail or other electronic means. (f-4) Subsection (f-3) does not apply if the tenant actually receives the notice. (g) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026. (h) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026. (i) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 15(1), eff. January 1, 2026.” Source: Tex. Property Code § 24.005; https://www.neochart.com/catalog/texas/property/chapter_24/section_24_005/tex_pr_24_005_b2daaa54b9e9/tex_property_code_sec_24_005_notice_required_before_filing_c_0001/index.html; data via neochart.com, snapshot 2026-08.
Pin the synthetic fact pattern
A synthetic tenant pays rent, reports a health-or-safety condition by dated notice, later surrenders possession, gives a written forwarding address, and disputes deductions. A separate event log records notice to vacate, filing, service, hearing, and judgment.
Work the application
The repair branch tests every statutory predicate and reasonable-time fact rather than inferring breach from a request label. The deposit branch starts with surrender and the forwarding address, then applies the thirtieth-day refund rule and connects lawful deductions to the accounting record. The eviction branch treats notice as a prerequisite to a later judicial process, not as an eviction order. Lease remedies and possession outcomes remain for reviewed law.
Read the populated property record
The folded housing packet contains lease terms, condition evidence, notices, delivery, rent status, surrender, forwarding address, deposit ledger, deductions, accounting, notice to vacate, docket events, and handoff fields. The rendered record contains 17 populated rows.
Jurisdiction: US; as of 2026-08-28; not legal advice; Render structure, refuse interpretation, cite, abstain, and hand off.
RENDER STRUCTURE · REFUSE INTERPRETATION · CITE · ABSTAIN · HAND-OFF: render structure, refuse interpretation, cite provenance, abstain when unsupported, and hand off to human review.
Read the complete record
The complete record keeps sources, stated facts, and questions for review separate. Authority records: Verbatim snapshot sources. Tex. Property Code § 92.052: Tex. Property Code Sec. 92.052. LANDLORD'S DUTY TO REPAIR OR REMEDY.. Tex. Property Code § 92.103: Tex. Property Code Sec. 92.103. OBLIGATION TO REFUND.. Tex. Property Code § 92.104: Tex. Property Code Sec. 92.104. RETENTION OF SECURITY DEPOSIT; ACCOUNTING.. Tex. Property Code § 92.107: Tex. Property Code Sec. 92.107. TENANT'S FORWARDING ADDRESS.. Tex. Property Code § 24.005: Tex. Property Code Sec. 24.005. NOTICE REQUIRED BEFORE FILING CERTAIN EVICTION SUITS.. Synthetic facts: Classroom facts only. Lease: Tenant rents a dwelling for one year with monthly rent and deposit. Repair: Tenant gives dated notice of a condition affecting health or safety. Deposit: Tenant surrenders possession and supplies a written forwarding address. Eviction: Landlord sends a notice to vacate before filing a possession suit. Application trace: Interests, events, rules, and unknowns. Leasehold: Term, possession, rent, covenants, assignment, sublease, and termination remain separate. Repair: Notice, rent status, condition, causation, reasonable time, and exceptions need facts. Deposit: Surrender, forwarding address, thirtieth-day refund, lawful deductions, and accounting are linked. Eviction: Notice, filing, service, hearing, judgment, appeal, and execution are distinct stages.
Narrow summary
Keep leasehold, repair, deposit, termination, and eviction records separate; deadlines run only from the exact statutory trigger and predicates.