Eviction Notice Requirements in Texas
Texas landlords must usually give you a 3-day written notice to vacate before they can file an eviction lawsuit in court. This notice can be delivered in person or via mail.
Texas, USA
Laws available for this jurisdiction in plain English.
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Texas Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground
Texas law allows you to use force (including deadly force) to protect yourself in your home, vehicle, or workplace, and you are not legally required to retreat before doing so.
Texas Homestead Exemption & Property Taxes
If you own a home in Texas and use it as your primary residence, you can claim a Homestead Exemption to lower your property taxes and cap how much your taxable home value can increase each year.
Texas 'Right to Work' Laws
Texas is a 'Right to Work' state. This means you cannot be forced to join a labor union or pay union dues as a condition of getting or keeping a job.
Texas Child Custody (Standard Possession Order)
In Texas, child custody is called 'Conservatorship.' If parents cannot agree on a schedule, a judge will almost always order the 'Standard Possession Order' (SPO) to guarantee minimum time with the non-primary parent.
Texas Open Carry Handgun Laws
Texas allows the open carry of handguns by individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm, without requiring a License to Carry (LTC).
Texas Property Code Section 92.008 - Interruption of Utilities
Strictly prohibits landlords from interrupting a tenant's utility services unless it is for bona fide repairs, emergencies, or specific non-payment scenarios defined by law.
Texas No State Income Tax
The Texas Constitution explicitly forbids the state government from levying a personal income tax. This is considered a permanent feature of the state's economy.
Texas Open Container Law
Prohibits the possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or stopped.
Texas Near-Total Abortion Ban (Trigger Law)
Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Texas enacted a 'trigger law' that makes performing an abortion a severe felony at any stage of pregnancy, with virtually no exceptions.
Texas Permitless Carry Law
As of 2021, Texas is a 'Constitutional Carry' state, meaning eligible adults can carry a handgun in public without needing a License to Carry (LTC), background check, or state training.
Texas SB 8 (Civil Abortion Enforcement)
Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, Texas passed SB 8, a unique law that banned abortion after 6 weeks by allowing private citizens to sue anyone who 'aided or abetted' an abortion, rather than using state police to enforce it.
Texas E-Verify Law (SB 3)
Texas law requires all state agencies, public universities, and private businesses that receive government contracts to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of all new employees.
Texas SB 4 (Immigration Enforcement)
SB 4 makes it a state crime to illegally cross the border into Texas from Mexico, granting local and state police the unprecedented power to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. *Note: This law is currently facing severe legal challenges in federal court.*
Texas Dram Shop Act (Alcohol Liability)
In Texas, bars, restaurants, and stores can be sued and held financially responsible if they sell alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person who then causes a drunk driving accident.
Texas Deregulated Electricity Market
Most of Texas operates on a deregulated energy grid (ERCOT). This means consumers are legally required to choose their own private retail electricity provider, rather than having a single government-assigned utility company.
Texas Vehicle Safety Inspection Repeal (HB 3297)
Starting January 1, 2025, Texas completely eliminated the mandatory annual vehicle safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles, replacing it with an annual fee.
Texas Lemon Law
The Texas Lemon Law helps consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles that have repeated, unfixable defects covered by the manufacturer's written warranty.
Texas Property Code Section 92.056: Landlord Liability and Tenant Remedies
Establishes the specific process a tenant must follow to force a landlord to repair conditions that affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.
Texas University DEI Ban (SB 17)
Texas SB 17 legally bans all public colleges and universities in the state from having Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices or staff, and prohibits mandatory diversity training.
Texas School Bus Passing Law
Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, and may not proceed until the bus moves or the signals are deactivated.
Texas Open Container Law
Texas law strictly forbids having an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is parked or moving.
Texas Armed School Security (HB 3)
Following the Uvalde tragedy, Texas law now requires every single public school campus in the state to have at least one armed security officer present during regular school hours.
Texas Social Media Law (HB 20)
Texas HB 20 makes it illegal for large social media platforms (like Facebook and X) to ban users or remove posts based on the user's political viewpoint. *Note: The US Supreme Court largely blocked this law from taking effect in 2024.*
Texas Castle Doctrine and Use of Force
Establishes a presumption that force is reasonable when defending one's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business.
Texas Repair and Remedy Law
Establishes specific procedures for tenants to request repairs for conditions that materially affect physical health or safety.
Texas Repair and Remedy Law
Outlines the specific procedures a tenant must follow to force a landlord to repair conditions that affect physical health or safety.
Texas Notice to Vacate Requirements
Landlords must give tenants a written notice to vacate at least three days before filing an eviction lawsuit, unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Texas Penal Code Section 9.32: Deadly Force
Provides the conditions under which deadly force is justified to protect oneself or others, including a 'Castle Doctrine' provision for homes, vehicles, and workplaces.
Texas Family Code: Standard Possession Order
The Texas Family Code establishes a default visitation schedule intended to ensure frequent contact with both parents. Key Terms: 1. Possessory Conservator (the parent who has visitation rights but not primary physical custody), 2. Managing Conservator (the parent with the legal right to determine the child's primary residence), 3. Possession and Access (the legal terms for 'visitation' and 'custody').
Texas Lane Splitting Prohibition
Motorcyclists are prohibited from operating between lanes of traffic or sharing a lane with another vehicle, codified in 2023 to clarify previous ambiguity.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 (Repair and Deduct)
Texas law provides specific procedures for tenants to demand repairs that affect physical health or safety and allows for limited 'repair and deduct' remedies.
Texas Castle Doctrine and Self-Defense
Texas law presumes the use of force is reasonable if an individual is defending against someone unlawfully entering their home, vehicle, or place of business.
Texas Best Interest of the Child Standard
Mandates that all decisions regarding child custody and visitation must prioritize the child's well-being above all else.
Texas Property Code Section 92.251 - Smoke Alarm Requirements
Texas law requires landlords to install smoke alarms in specific locations throughout a rental unit at the landlord's expense.
Texas Security Deposit Refund Law (Property Code 92.103)
Requires landlords to refund security deposits within 30 days and provides penalties for those acting in bad faith.
Texas Property Code Section 92.056: Landlord Liability and Tenant Remedies
Establishes a landlord's duty to repair conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.
Texas Deadly Force in Defense of Person
Deadly force is justified to protect oneself against another's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force, or to prevent the imminent commission of specific violent crimes.
Texas Penal Code Section 9.31 (Self-Defense)
Provides the 'Castle Doctrine' framework where force is presumed reasonable against someone unlawfully entering an occupied home, vehicle, or place of business.
Texas Family Code: Best Interest of the Child Standard
Mandates that the primary consideration of the court in any suit affecting the parent-child relationship is the 'best interest of the child,' rather than the preferences of the parents.
Texas Family Code Section 153.131 (Presumption of JMC)
Establishes a legal starting point that both parents should be appointed joint managing conservators unless there is evidence of domestic violence or child abuse.
Texas Family Code Section 153.002
Statute mandating that the best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining custody and access.
Texas Deadly Force in Defense of Person
Authorizes the use of deadly force to protect oneself against another's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force or to prevent certain violent crimes.
Texas Family Code Chapter 154: Child Support
Sets a standardized percentage-based formula for calculating child support based on the income of the non-custodial parent.
Texas Texting While Driving Ban
It is illegal to use a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped.
Texas Open Container Law
It is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway, whether the vehicle is moving or parked.
Texas Property Code Section 92.052: Duty to Repair or Remedy
Landlords are required to make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.
Texas Open Container Law
It is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or parked.
Texas Landlord Duty to Repair Law
Landlords are legally required to repair conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92: Security Deposit Refund Law
Landlords in Texas must refund security deposits or provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 days of the tenant vacating.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92: Security Deposit Refunds
Requires landlords to refund security deposits or provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 days of the tenant moving out.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92
Regulates the rights and duties of residential landlords and tenants in Texas, including repair duties and security devices.
Texas Open Container Law
It is illegal to knowingly possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle located on a public highway, whether moving or parked.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 (Repair Duties)
Texas law requires landlords to make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant, provided the tenant is current on rent.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 (Repair and Remedy)
Defines the specific process for how tenants in Texas can demand repairs for conditions that affect physical health or safety.
Texas Castle Doctrine and Use of Force
Presumes the use of force is reasonable if someone is unlawfully and with force entering or attempting to enter your occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business.
Texas Justifiable Use of Deadly Force
Outlines specific conditions under which deadly force is justified, including the prevention of violent felonies such as aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, or robbery.
Texas Community Property Law
Presumes that all property acquired by either spouse during the marriage is owned equally by both, regardless of whose name is on the title.