Texas Security Deposit Laws (2026)
Key rules for deadlines, penalties, and documentation requirements, with direct links to the official statute.
Reviewed: 2026-03-03
Reviewer: ReclaimDeposit legal research team
Quick answer for Texas renters
In Texas, landlords generally must return the deposit or send a lawful itemized statement within 30 days. Penalty exposure can reach $100 + 3x damages.
Requirements
Notes
- CRITICAL: Tenant MUST provide written forwarding address to trigger 30-day deadline
- Failure to return within 30 days after address provided creates PRESUMPTION of bad faith
- Unique penalty structure: $100 base + 3x wrongfully withheld + attorney fees
Citations
Quick references pulled from our shared state law dataset. Open each explainer for plain-English context.
Deposit return deadline
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days after forwarding address provided
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionItemized deductions
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104 - Landlord must provide written description of deductions
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionNormal wear and tear
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104 - Landlord cannot charge for normal wear and tear
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionBad faith penalties
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109 - Bad faith retention results in $100 + 3x amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionStatutory presumptions
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109 - Failure to return/itemize within 30 days creates presumption of bad faith
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionForwarding address requirement
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.107 - Tenant must provide written forwarding address to trigger deadline
Explain this statuteOfficial section
Common Texas dispute scenarios
Choose the scenario that matches your case to get state-specific next actions.
Landlord missed the deposit deadline
Use this path when your landlord returned the deposit late or failed to send any lawful itemized statement on time.
No itemized deduction statement
Use this path when money was withheld but no legally compliant itemized statement was provided.
Charged for normal wear and tear
Use this path when deductions include routine aging, ordinary use, or charges that should have been depreciated.
Evidence of landlord bad faith
Use this path when withholding appears intentional, reckless, or unsupported by evidence and statute.
Next steps
Use free tools to estimate your deadline, prepare a demand letter, and map your court path.