Rent Control: Deer Park vs Houston

Does Harris County have rent control?

No. Texas law prohibits all forms of rent control statewide. Harris County cannot limit rent amounts or increases.

How much notice is required for a rent increase?

For month-to-month leases, Texas law requires 30 days notice unless the lease specifies otherwise. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot increase until the lease renews.

Does Houston have rent control?

No. Houston has never enacted rent control and the Houston Code of Ordinances contains no rent stabilization chapter. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts any Texas municipality from adopting rent control unless the governor approves it after a declared housing-emergency disaster — which has not occurred in Houston.

Can Houston pass a rent control ordinance?

Only under extraordinary conditions. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 requires both (1) a finding by Houston City Council that a housing emergency exists due to a disaster declared under Tex. Gov't Code § 418.004 and (2) gubernatorial approval. Absent both, any Houston rent control ordinance would be void.

What protections do Houston tenants have without rent control?

Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 92 covers security deposits (30-day refund under § 92.103), repair-and-deduct remedies (§§ 92.056–92.0563), and retaliation (§ 92.331 prohibits raising rent in response to a protected tenant action, with one month rent + $500 penalty under § 92.333).