Texas deposit law, in plain English.

What your landlord has to do with your deposit after you move out. Each rule links to the official text.

• Give them your address first.

  In writing. They don't have to refund anything or explain deductions until they have it. You don't lose your deposit by skipping it, but the clock won't really start.

  Prop. Code §92.107

• 30 days.

  Then they have 30 days after you move out to refund your deposit, with a written description and itemized list of anything they kept. A postmark by day 30 counts.

  §92.103, §92.104(c), §92.1041

• Off limits.

  Normal wear and tear. The law defines it as wear from using the place the way it's meant to be used.

  §92.104(b), §92.001(4)

• Miss day 30 and it's presumed bad faith.

  Bad faith can cost them $100, plus three times what they wrongly kept, plus your lawyer's fees. And they have to prove keeping it was reasonable.

  §92.109

• One warning.

  Don't skip your last month's rent to “use up” the deposit. Texas law punishes that.

  §92.108

Checked against the official text on October 19, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Cities can add their own rules.