What is a Texas residential lease agreement?

A residential lease is a written contract between a landlord and tenant. It sets rent, the term, deposits, and house rules. In Texas, no statutory cap Unused deposit money is generally due within 30 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized list of lawful deductions.

Do I need a written lease in Texas?

Even when Texas law does not require every lease to be in writing, a signed paper protects both sides. Oral deals are hard to prove in court. This generator builds a fixed-term lease with state-specific deposit, notice, and disclosure language.

What should a Texas lease include?

At minimum: parties, property address, rent and due date, term dates, deposit amount, maintenance duties, entry rules, and required disclosures. Texas commonly requires about 6 statewide disclosures on residential leases. The generator adds those that apply to your answers.

Is this the same as a rental application?

No. An application collects information before you choose a tenant. A lease creates the tenancy after both sides agree. Run screening separately and only sign a lease with the tenant you select.

Texas · Fixed-term lease · Free to generate and download

Texas Residential Lease Agreement

Texas does not publish an official statewide lease, and it does not cap security deposits. What it does require is Chapter 92 paperwork: who the owner is, a flood notice, smoke-alarm and lock duties, and bold or underlined repair-remedy language. This generator builds a fixed-term residential lease around those rules.

No statewide deposit cap, but the unused deposit is generally due 30 days after surrender (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103).
Texas preempts local rent control. The fight is over notices and Chapter 92, not a rent board.
A late fee usually cannot be charged until two full days after rent is due (§ 92.019).
On Review, download a free move-in packet: this document, a condition checklist, and selected addenda in one PDF.

Texas disclosure checklist

Last reviewed 2026-08-15. Confirm current statutes before you rely on this list.

Owner / manager identityRequired
The lease must name the owner or management company and give a street address (not only a P.O. box) for notices and service of process.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.201
Flood / floodplain noticeRequired
Give a written flood notice at or before signing. Both parties should sign it. Short-term stays under 30 days and some sale-related occupancies are excepted.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0135
Repair-and-deduct / judicial remediesRequired
The lease should disclose the tenant’s repair and judicial remedies in bold or underlined type. Missing that language can cost the landlord procedural protections.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056
Smoke detectorsRequired
Residential landlords must install and maintain smoke alarms and tell tenants how to report a problem.
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.251–92.261
Security devicesRequired
Texas requires certain locks and security devices. Tenants can request compliant devices; landlords who ignore the request can face rent deduction or termination.
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.151–92.170
Late-fee rulesRequired
A late fee must be in the lease, must be reasonable, and generally cannot be charged until two full days after rent is due.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019
Lead-based paint (pre-1978)If it applies
Federal lead disclosure and the EPA pamphlet still apply to pre-1978 housing.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 CFR Part 35

Deposit rule of thumb

Texas does not cap how large a residential security deposit may be. After the tenant surrenders the unit and gives a written forwarding address, the landlord generally has 30 days to return the unused deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. A lease term that requires advance notice of surrender as a condition of refund is effective only if it is underlined or in conspicuous bold print.

Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107

Texas does not prescribe a statewide 24-hour entry rule. Put a reasonable-notice entry clause in the lease. Emergency entry and agreed repairs are customary.

For a month-to-month tenancy, written notice generally must be at least one month if rent is paid monthly (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The tenancy ends on the later of the date in the notice or one month after notice is given.

LeaseGen.io is not a law firm. These notes are educational summaries, not advice.

Frequently asked questions

Plain-language answers about Texas fixed-term lease papers. LeaseGen.io is not a law firm. Confirm current statutes before anyone signs.

What is a Texas residential lease agreement?: A residential lease is a written contract between a landlord and tenant. It sets rent, the term, deposits, and house rules. In Texas, no statutory cap Unused deposit money is generally due within 30 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized list of lawful deductions.
Do I need a written lease in Texas?: Even when Texas law does not require every lease to be in writing, a signed paper protects both sides. Oral deals are hard to prove in court. This generator builds a fixed-term lease with state-specific deposit, notice, and disclosure language.
What should a Texas lease include?: At minimum: parties, property address, rent and due date, term dates, deposit amount, maintenance duties, entry rules, and required disclosures. Texas commonly requires about 6 statewide disclosures on residential leases. The generator adds those that apply to your answers.
Is this the same as a rental application?: No. An application collects information before you choose a tenant. A lease creates the tenancy after both sides agree. Run screening separately and only sign a lease with the tenant you select.

Texas Residential Lease Agreement

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