Texas places no statutory limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit. However, the landlord must refund the deposit within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises. A landlord who keeps a deposit in bad faith faces $100 plus three times the wrongfully withheld amount, plus the tenant's attorney's fees.
Texas Property Code Subchapter C imposes no cap on the deposit amount, but it strictly governs the refund. A landlord "shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises" (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). The tenant must first give a written forwarding address, though failing to do so does not forfeit the refund right (§ 92.107). A landlord may deduct damages and unpaid amounts for which the tenant is legally liable but may not retain anything for normal wear and tear, and must provide a written itemized list of deductions (§ 92.104) — unless the tenant owes rent at surrender and there is no controversy over the rent owed.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109, a landlord who in bad faith retains a deposit is liable for $100 plus three times the portion wrongfully withheld plus the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees. Bad faith is presumed if the landlord fails to refund or provide a written itemization within 30 days.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Laredo, TX
Laredo allows residential fire pits under 3 feet diameter, 25 feet from structures and supervised. Gas and propane pits are exempt from Webb County burn bans.
Laredo, TX
Laredo requires property owners to clear brush, tall weeds, and combustible vegetation over 12 inches to reduce wildfire risk in the South Texas brushland al...
Laredo, TX
Laredo lies in the South Texas brushland wildfire corridor. Texas A&M Forest Service maps moderate to high risk for Rio Grande floodplain and mesquite brush....
Laredo, TX
Laredo follows the International Fire Code and Texas law requiring smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level. Landlords must m...
Laredo, TX
Laredo Utilities enforces year-round water conservation and a four-stage drought plan. Landscape irrigation is limited to designated days and evening hours. ...
Laredo, TX
Laredo has no general residential tree preservation ordinance. Owners may remove trees on private land without a permit, though commercial developments must ...
See how Laredo'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.