Texas Security Deposit Recovery
Draft a demand letter grounded in Texas landlord-tenant law. Cited, validated, and ready to send to your former landlord.
Texas Deposit Law at a Glance
Primary Statute
Tex. Prop. Code §92.103
Return Deadline
30 days
Penalty
Up to 3x the wrongfully withheld amount plus $100.
What Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 Provides
Requires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days of move-out, with an itemized statement of deductions if any portion is withheld.
This is general information about the statute. A demand letter generated by Resolvaio will cite the specific subsections relevant to your situation. Verify current law with official sources.
How to Recover Your Deposit in Texas
- 1Answer diagnostic questions about your tenancy, move-out date, deposit amount, and any deductions claimed.
- 2Receive a demand letter citing Tex. Prop. Code §92.103 and other applicable Texas statutes.
- 3Review and send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. We track the statutory deadline.
- 4If no response, escalation documents for small claims court or a state attorney general complaint are available.
Refund available before generation. One letter per case.
Texas small claims by county
If your landlord ignores the demand letter, here's where you file in Texas — with each county's court and filing fee.
- Dallas County$54 filing + $80 service per defendant (~$134)
- Bexar County (San Antonio)$54 filing + $92 service per party
- Tarrant County (Fort Worth)$54 filing (+ county service of citation)
- Travis County (Austin)$54 filing (+ county service of citation)
- Harris County (Houston)$49 filing + $75 service per defendant
- Collin County$54 filing + $15 citation + $75 service per defendant (~$144)
Texas security deposit — common questions
- How long does my Texas landlord have to return my deposit?
- Texas landlords have 30 days after you surrender the property to refund the deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions — but the clock only starts once you give the landlord a written forwarding address (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.107).
- Do I have to give my Texas landlord a forwarding address?
- Yes — this is the single most important step in Texas. The landlord has no duty to return the deposit until you provide a written forwarding address. Always send it in writing and keep proof.
- What can a Texas landlord deduct from my deposit?
- A Texas landlord may deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear and for charges the lease specifies, and must give an itemized list of deductions. They may not deduct for normal wear and tear (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104).
- What if my Texas landlord keeps my deposit in bad faith?
- A landlord who retains a deposit in bad faith is liable for $100, plus three times the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney’s fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
- How much can I sue for in Texas?
- Texas Justice of the Peace (small claims) courts handle deposit disputes up to $20,000. You can file without a lawyer.
General information about Texas law. Resolvaio is a writing and research assistance tool, not a law firm. Verify current statutes with official sources before acting.