Texas security deposit law
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Texas?
The short answer
Texas law gives your landlord 30 days after later of both to return your deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 / § 92.109. Miss the deadline and the landlord loses legal ground and can owe up to 3x the deposit.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 / § 92.109, a Texas landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days, counted from later of both. The return must include an itemized statement listing every deduction.
What the deadline really means: it is not a suggestion. A landlord who misses it weakens any claim to your money and exposes themselves to statutory consequences. Where withholding is found to be in bad faith, courts can award up to 3x the deposit on top of the amount owed.
How to count the days: the clock starts at later of both, not when the landlord gets around to an inspection. Mark the date you handed back keys and gave your forwarding address; that documentation decides deadline disputes.
If the deadline has already passed, the next step is a written demand: a formal letter citing Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 / § 92.109, the missed date, and the amount owed. Landlords who ignore informal texts frequently respond to a statute-cited demand sent by certified mail, because it shows you know the deadline and its consequences, and it becomes Exhibit A if you later file in Justice Court.
The Texas rules at a glance. Governing statute: Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 / § 92.109. Return deadline: 30 days. Statutory damages: up to 3x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: Justice Court, claims up to $20,000.
Looking for the rules beyond this state? Security deposit return deadlines by state
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