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Texas Residential Lease Agreement
1. Parties
This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Lease") is between ("Landlord") and ("Tenant"). If more than one person signs as Tenant, each of them is fully responsible for all of Tenant's obligations under this Lease.
2. Property
Landlord rents to Tenant the residence at (the "Property"), including (parking, storage, appliances or furniture included, if any).
3. Term
This Lease begins on and ends on . If Tenant stays after the end date with Landlord's written consent, the tenancy continues from month to month on the same terms unless the parties sign a new lease or the law where the Property is located provides otherwise.
4. Rent
Tenant will pay rent of per month, in advance, on or before the day of each month, by .
If this Lease starts on a day other than the rent due day, rent for the first partial month is , calculated by dividing the monthly rent by the number of days in that month and multiplying by the number of days Tenant has the Property.
5. Late charges and returned payments
If rent is not received in full within days after it is due, Tenant will pay a late charge of . Tenant will pay for any payment returned unpaid by the bank. No late charge or fee will be more than the law where the Property is located allows.
6. Security deposit
Tenant will pay a security deposit of before moving in. Landlord will hold, apply and return the deposit as required by the law where the Property is located. After Tenant moves out, Landlord will return the deposit, less any lawful deductions with a written itemized list, within the time that law requires. Tenant may not use the deposit as the last month's rent without Landlord's written consent.
7. Occupants and use
Only Tenant and these people may live at the Property: . Tenant will use the Property only as a private residence, follow all laws, and not disturb neighbors.
8. Utilities
Tenant will pay for these utilities and services: . Landlord will pay for all other utilities and services, if any, that serve the Property.
9. Pets
Pets allowed (describe, or write "none"): Pet deposit, if any: . This does not limit assistance animals that Landlord must allow under fair housing law.
10. Smoking
Smoking rules:
11. Maintenance and repairs
Tenant will keep the Property clean and safe, use appliances and fixtures properly, and promptly report any needed repairs to Landlord in writing. Landlord will make repairs the law requires. Tenant will pay for damage caused by Tenant, other occupants or guests, beyond normal wear and tear.
12. Alterations and locks
Tenant will not paint, make alterations, or add or change locks without Landlord's written consent.
13. Landlord entry
Landlord may enter the Property at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs or show it, after giving Tenant at least hours' notice, or any longer notice the law requires. Landlord may enter without notice in an emergency.
14. Subletting and assignment
Tenant will not sublet the Property or assign this Lease without Landlord's written consent.
15. Moving out
When this Lease ends, Tenant will leave the Property clean and in the same condition as at move-in except for normal wear and tear, return all keys, and give Landlord a forwarding address in writing.
16. Ownership and management (Property Code 92.201)
Holder of record title (name and street or P.O. box address): . Management company, if the property is primarily managed by an off-site company (name and street address): .
17. Emergency repairs phone
To report an emergency condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant, call: .
18. Repairs
If Landlord fails to repair a condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant as required by this Lease or the Texas Property Code, Tenant may be entitled to exercise remedies under Sections 92.056 and 92.0561 of the Texas Property Code.
19. Flood disclosure (Property Code 92.0135)
(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.
(Landlord) ( ) is or ( ) is not aware that the dwelling you are renting has flooded at least once within the last five years.
20. Early termination rights
Tenants may have special statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving family violence or a military deployment or transfer. Tenants may have special statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving certain sexual offenses or stalking.
21. Disclosures
Was the Property built before 1978? If yes, the federal lead-based paint disclosure, signed by both parties, is attached, and Tenant received the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.
Other disclosures or addenda attached:
22. Notices
Notices to Landlord go to: . Notices to Tenant go to the Property address, or to any other address Tenant gives Landlord in writing.
23. Governing law and entire agreement
This Lease is governed by the law of Texas, where the Property is located. If any part of this Lease is invalid or conflicts with that law, that part is limited to what the law allows and the rest of the Lease stays in effect. This Lease, with any attached addenda, is the entire agreement. Any change must be in writing and signed by Landlord and Tenant.
24. Additional terms
Signatures
Texas lease rules
| Rule | Texas | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap found in Chapter 92, Subchapter C. | Ch. 92 |
| Deposit return | Within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises, with an itemized list of deductions; no deductions for normal wear and tear. | 92.103, 92.104 |
| Late fees | Only if the written lease gives notice of the fee, the fee is reasonable, and rent is unpaid two full days after it was due. Up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings of 4 or fewer units) or 10% (more than 4) is considered reasonable. | 92.019 |
| Landlord entry | No statute sets a notice period; the lease controls. | Ch. 92 |
| Repair remedies | The lease must tell the tenant, in underlined or bold print, about the remedies in 92.056 and 92.0561. | 92.056(g) |
| Copy of the lease | Give a complete copy to at least one tenant within 3 business days after everyone signs. | 92.024 |
| Changing locks for unpaid rent | Only if that right is in the lease, with advance written notice. | 92.0081 |
From the official Texas statute text, read October 29, 2026. Cities and counties can add rules. A template, not legal advice.
Notices this Texas lease includes
- Ownership and management details (92.201).
- An emergency repairs phone number (92.020).
- Repair remedies in bold, underlined print (92.056(g)). The statute does not prescribe wording; this sentence refers the tenant to sections 92.056 and 92.0561.
- Both flood notices in the words of 92.0135, signed by both sides; not required for leases under 30 days.
- The early termination sentences from 92.016(f) and 92.0161(g). Without them, a tenant who ends the lease under those sections is released from delinquent rent.
The general version is our lease agreement template. For a month-to-month agreement, see the month-to-month lease.
Other state versions: Massachusetts, Colorado and Virginia.
More state versions: New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington and Maryland.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Texas landlord charge a late fee?
Only if the written lease gives notice of it, the fee is reasonable, and rent is unpaid two full days after it was due. Up to 12% of a month's rent for buildings of 4 or fewer units, or 10% for larger buildings, is considered reasonable (92.019).
How long does a Texas landlord have to return a security deposit?
30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises, with an itemized list of any deductions (92.103 and 92.104).
Does Texas require notice before a landlord enters?
No Texas statute sets a notice period for entry; the lease sets the terms.
What must a Texas lease include?
Among others: language in bold or underlined print about the tenant's repair remedies, ownership and management details on request, an emergency phone number, the flood notices, and the early termination sentences to preserve the landlord's claim for back rent.