Houston, TX Rental Property Rules: Tenant Anti-Harassment (2026)
Key Facts
- Retaliation statute
- TX Property Code Section 92.331
- Lookback window
- 6 months from protected activity
- Damages
- 1 month rent plus $500 minimum
- TAHO ordinance
- None in Houston
- Lockout penalty
- 1 month rent plus $1,000
Summary
Texas Property Code Section 92.331 prohibits landlord retaliation for a narrow set of tenant actions, but Houston has no Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance like Los Angeles or Seattle covering broader landlord harassment.
Sec. 92.331. RETALIATION BY LANDLORD. (a) A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by taking an action described by Subsection (b) because the tenant:(1) in good faith exercises or attempts to exercise against a landlord a right or remedy granted to the tenant by lease, municipal ordinance, or federal or state statute;(2) gives a landlord a notice to repair or exercise a remedy under this chapter;(3) complains to a governmental entity responsible for enforcing building or housing codes, a public utility, or a civic or nonprofit agency, and the tenant:(A) claims a building or housing code violation or utility problem; and(B) believes in good faith that the complaint is valid and that the violation or problem occurred; or(4) establishes, attempts to establish, or participates in a tenan
Full Breakdown
Section 92.331 makes it unlawful to retaliate within six months of a tenant's good-faith complaint to a government agency, exercise of a legal right, or participation in a tenant organization. Remedies under Section 92.333 include one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The statute does not reach harassment outside retaliation: repeated unannounced entry, threats, utility shutoffs, or coercive buyout offers fall under separate provisions or general tort law. Houston has no comprehensive TAHO. Tenants experiencing harassment should document incidents, send certified-mail demand letters, and consult Lone Star Legal Aid or Houston Volunteer Lawyers.
Violations & Fines
Retaliation within six months of protected activity triggers Section 92.333 damages. Unauthorized entry, lockouts (Section 92.0081), and utility shutoff (Section 92.008) are separate violations with their own remedies, including one month's rent plus $1,000 for illegal lockout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is landlord harassment illegal in Houston?
What counts as retaliation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
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