Just cause eviction rules in Travis County, TX — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Travis County follows Texas Property Code Chapter 24 for evictions. Texas is a landlord-friendly state with no just-cause requirement. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice for any non-discriminatory reason.
Texas Property Code §24.005 requires a 3-day notice to vacate before filing eviction suit (forcible detainer) in Justice Court, unless the lease specifies a different notice period. Travis County eviction cases are filed in one of five Justice of the Peace precincts based on the property location. The City of Austin passed a notice-of-proposed-eviction ordinance (Austin City Code §5-1-1000) requiring 60-day notice, but this applies only inside Austin city limits, not unincorporated Travis County. Tenants in federally-assisted housing receive CARES Act 30-day notice protections.
Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is prohibited under Texas Property Code §92.0081 and subjects landlord to one month rent plus $1,000 in damages per occurrence plus actual damages and attorney fees.
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See how Travis County's just cause eviction rules stack up against other locations.
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