Texas · Security Deposit Law
Texas Security Deposit Law: 30 days Return Rule
Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103) requires landlords to return your security deposit, along with a written itemized list of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out. The catch: you must provide a forwarding address. Fail to do so and the deadline doesn't start. But if the landlord misses the 30-day window without good cause, the penalties are steep: $100 plus three times the amount withheld.
Key fact: Texas landlords face a $100 fine plus triple damages if they wrongfully withhold your security deposit beyond 30 days.
Return deadline
30 days
Statute
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103
Small claims limit
$20,000
Texas Security Deposit Penalty
Penalty: $100 + 3× the wrongfully withheld amount + attorney fees
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109 imposes a penalty of $100 plus three times the portion wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, if the landlord acts in bad faith.
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Texas Security Deposit FAQs
How long does my Texas landlord have to return my security deposit?▾
30 days after you surrender possession of the premises and provide your forwarding address. The clock does not start until you give the landlord your new address. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103.
What is the penalty if my Texas landlord doesn't return my deposit?▾
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109, a landlord who retains a deposit in bad faith is liable for $100 plus three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus your reasonable attorney's fees. Texas Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $20,000.
Do I need a lawyer to send a security deposit demand letter?▾
No. A demand letter citing Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 and § 92.109 is something any tenant can send. The triple-damages provision makes this one of the strongest tenant protections in the country, and that fact alone often prompts landlords to settle.
Does a demand letter actually work to get my deposit back?▾
Very effectively in Texas. The triple-damages threat under § 92.109 is a serious deterrent. Most landlords comply after receiving a formal demand that cites the statute and gives a clear deadline to respond.
Security deposit laws by state
Deadlines and statutes change. Always verify with your local court or legal aid before acting. kweldoc is a document drafting tool, not a law firm.