Travis County, TX Rental Property Rules: Cash-for-Keys Agreements (2026)
Key Facts
- County rules
- None
- State rules
- None
- Tenant must accept
- No
- Written agreement
- Strongly advised
Summary
Travis County and Texas law impose no rules on cash-for-keys agreements. Landlords and tenants may negotiate any sum for voluntary surrender of possession, subject only to ordinary contract law and notarized written agreements.
Sec. 24.002. FORCIBLE DETAINER. (a) A person who refuses to surrender possession of real property on demand commits a forcible detainer if the person: (1) is a tenant or a subtenant wilfully and without force holding over after the termination of the tenant's right of possession; (2) is a tenant at will or by sufferance, including an occupant at the time of foreclosure of a lien superior to the tenant's lease; or (3) is a tenant of a person who acquired possession by forcible entry. (b) The demand for possession must be made in writing by a person entitled to possession of the property and must comply with the requirements for notice to vacate under Section 24.005.
Full Breakdown
Cash-for-keys is a private contract: a landlord pays a tenant to vacate quickly without formal eviction. Texas law does not regulate the offer amount, timing, or required disclosures, and Travis County imposes no county-level rules. Best practice is a written agreement signed by all leaseholders, specifying move-out date, condition of premises, payment method, and mutual release of claims. Without such a document, disputes over partial possession or property damage become difficult to resolve. Tenants are not legally required to accept any cash-for-keys offer and may insist on full eviction process protections under Texas Property Code Chapter 24.
Violations & Fines
No regulatory violations exist; disputes are resolved as ordinary contract claims in Texas justice or county court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Travis County landlord pay me to leave early?
Do I have to accept the offer?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas rental property rules overview
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