Texas Property Code Sections 92.101 through 92.110 set statewide security-deposit rules for all Harris County rentals. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of any deductions. The county does not impose stricter local limits; state law preempts local deposit regulation.
Texas Property Code Section 92.103 requires Harris County landlords to refund any security deposit, less lawful deductions, within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the unit and provides a written forwarding address. Section 92.104 allows deductions only for damages beyond normal wear and tear or for unpaid rent and lease charges. Section 92.109 imposes treble damages plus a $100 penalty plus attorney fees on landlords acting in bad faith. Texas sets no statutory cap on deposit size, so two- or three-month deposits are legal. Harris County has not enacted local supplements. Tenants enforce rights through Justice of the Peace courts, which Harris County operates across sixteen JP precinct positions.
Bad-faith retention triggers Section 92.109 damages: three times the wrongfully withheld portion, plus $100, plus attorney fees and court costs awarded to a prevailing tenant in Harris County Justice of the Peace court.
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire enforces detailed quiet hours under its noise ordinance adopted in 2023. Quiet hours run Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM (11:00 PM t...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire prohibits all construction activity during quiet hours regardless of noise level. Construction is permitted only during non-quiet hours: 7:00 AM to ...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire's noise ordinance prohibits all lawn care activities, including leaf blower use, during quiet hours regardless of noise level. During non-quiet hour...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire Code Chapter 6 (Animals and Fowl) prohibits keeping dogs that create excessive noise disturbing neighbors. Barking dog complaints are handled by Bel...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire's noise ordinance sets specific decibel limits for amplified music: 60 dB maximum in residential zones during quiet hours and 75 dB during non-quiet...
Bellaire, TX
Bellaire regulates street parking through Chapter 30 (Traffic and Vehicles) with restrictions on specific streets, time limits, and no-parking zones. The cit...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how Bellaire's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.