Haltom City's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

If you live in Haltom City or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Haltom City has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rental Registration

Haltom City has no general rental registration program. Landlords must still comply with Texas Property Code Chapter 92 and the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the city.

Key details: City Registration: None required. Habitability Standard: Tex. Prop. Code 92.052. Smoke Alarms: Required by Tex. Prop. Code 92.255. Multi-Family Fire: Periodic Fire Marshal inspection. Code Complaints: (817) 222-7700.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Haltom City gives residents more flexibility on rental registration.

Rent Control

Haltom City does not have rent control. Texas Local Government Code 214.902 preempts municipal rent control except under limited disaster declarations. Tenant rights follow Property Code 92.

Key details: Rent Control: None. State Preemption: TX Local Gov Code 214.902. Tenant Rights: TX Property Code Chapter 92. Security Deposit Return: 30 days after move-out. Notice to Vacate: 3 days minimum.

Because Texas law preempts local rent control, there are no city-level violations for rent amounts. However, landlords violating Texas Property Code Chapter 92 (failure to repair, retaliation, wrongful withholding of security deposit) face civil penalties of one month's rent plus 500 dollars plus actual damages and attorney fees. Self-help eviction (changing locks, shutting off utilities) is illegal and creates landlord liability.

The rules around rent control in Haltom City lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Just Cause Eviction

Haltom City has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions follow Texas Property Code Chapter 24 and Chapter 92, which allow landlords to terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days notice without stating a reason.

Key details: Local Just-Cause: None required. Month-to-Month Notice: 30 days under Tex. Prop. Code 91.001. Nonpayment Notice: 3 days under Tex. Prop. Code 24.005. Retaliation Window: 6 months per Tex. Prop. Code 92.331. Eviction Court: Tarrant County JP precinct.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Haltom City gives residents more flexibility on just cause eviction.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Haltom City gives residents more room on rental property rules. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Haltom City can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.