Dallas, TX Rental Property Rules: Security Deposit Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Statute
- TX Property Code 92.103-92.110
- Deposit cap
- No statutory maximum amount
- Bad-faith penalty
- Treble damages plus $100
- Forum
- Justice court for under $20K
Summary
Texas Property Code Sections 92.101 through 92.110 set statewide security-deposit rules. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions. Dallas does not impose stricter local limits; state law preempts most local deposit regulation.
Sec. 92.103. OBLIGATION TO REFUND. (a) Except as provided by Section 92.107, the landlord shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises.(b) A requirement that a tenant give advance notice of surrender as a condition for refunding the security deposit is effective only if the requirement is underlined or is printed in conspicuous bold print in the lease.(c) The tenant's claim to the security deposit takes priority over the claim of any creditor of the landlord, including a trustee in bankruptcy.
Full Breakdown
Texas Property Code Section 92.103 requires Dallas landlords to refund any security deposit, less lawful deductions, within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises and provides a forwarding address in writing. Section 92.104 permits deductions only for actual damages beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent or charges. Section 92.109 imposes treble damages plus a $100 penalty plus attorney fees for landlords who act in bad faith. There is no statutory cap on the deposit amount in Texas, unlike states that limit it to one or two months' rent. Dallas has not enacted a local supplement; tenants enforce rights through justice-court suits, often via the Dallas Bar Association lawyer referral.
Violations & Fines
Bad-faith retention triggers Section 92.109 damages: three times the wrongfully withheld portion, plus $100, plus attorney fees and court costs awarded to the prevailing tenant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my Dallas landlord have to return my deposit?
Can a Dallas landlord charge any deposit amount?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas to another location·View the Texas rental property rules overview
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