Texas Prohibits Local Rent Control Ordinances

Under Texas Local Government Code Section 214.902, the governing body of a municipality may not adopt an ordinance controlling the rents of private residential or commercial property. The only exception is when the city council finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance, which then expires automatically. Property Code provisions reinforce that landlords and tenants may freely contract for rent in lease agreements. Cities also cannot cap renewal increases, mandate rent rollbacks, or impose vacancy controls. Tenants who object to a rent increase must instead negotiate, move, or invoke contract-specific protections.

A municipal rent-control ordinance adopted without gubernatorial disaster approval is void and unenforceable; landlords may seek declaratory relief in district court.