Texas Security Deposit Law at a Glance
Governing Statute
Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 to §92.109 — Security Deposits
Return Deadline
Your landlord must return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 calendar days after tenant surrendering premises and providing forwarding address.
Penalty for Non-Return
If your landlord fails to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 calendar days, you may be entitled to $100 statutory penalty plus treble the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Tex. Prop. Code §92.109(a).
Key Facts
- Maximum deposit: no statutory limit
- Itemization required: Within 30 calendar days
- Small claims limit: $20,000
Additional Protections
- Tenant must provide written forwarding address to trigger return deadline
- Landlord must refund deposit with written itemized list within 30 days
- If landlord acts in bad faith, tenant may recover $100 + 3x deposit wrongfully withheld + attorney fees
What Your Texas Demand Letter Includes
Every letter is built from Texas's actual statute — not a generic template.
Exact Statute Citation
Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 to §92.109 cited by section number. Your landlord sees you know the law.
Calculated Deadline
30 calendar days from your move-out date, computed automatically from your specific dates.
Penalty Warning
$100 statutory penalty plus treble the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees — cited so your landlord knows the cost of non-compliance.
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Texas Security Deposit FAQ
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Texas?
Under Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 to §92.109, your landlord has 30 calendar days after tenant surrendering premises and providing forwarding address to return your security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions.
What happens if my Texas landlord doesn't return my deposit on time?
If your landlord fails to return your deposit within the legal deadline, you may be entitled to $100 statutory penalty plus treble the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Tex. Prop. Code §92.109(a). You can pursue this in small claims court.
What is the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge in Texas?
Under Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 to §92.109, the maximum security deposit in Texas is no statutory limit.
Does my Texas landlord have to itemize deductions from my deposit?
Yes. Texas law requires landlords to provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 calendar days of move-out.
Can I sue my landlord in small claims court in Texas?
Yes. Texas small claims court handles cases up to $20,000. Security deposit disputes are one of the most common small claims cases.
Do I need a lawyer to send a security deposit demand letter in Texas?
No. A demand letter is a formal written request, not a lawsuit. You can send one yourself. Our tool generates a Texas-specific demand letter citing Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 to §92.109 so your landlord knows you understand your rights.
Security Deposit Demand Letters by State
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