Texas

Rent Increases in Texas: What Are My Rights?

Last reviewed by Cameron Monteith · Last verified September 12, 2026

Texas has no statewide limit on rent increases. This page explains when your landlord can raise the rent, how much notice you get, and the one legal limit: retaliation. It also covers what to do if the increase is punishment for asking for repairs. And it covers what happens if you do not pay the new rent.

Not legal advice. Every statement below links to its primary source. Read the source before relying on this information. If you need legal help, contact your local legal aid organization.

  1. No Texas law limits how much your landlord can raise the rent when your lease ends. The landlord can ask for any amount.

    Texas State Law Library Rent Increases TexasLawHelp.org (Austin Tenants Council) Myths About Leasing

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  2. Texas cities cannot pass their own rent control. Local Government Code § 214.902 allows a city rent control ordinance only after a declared disaster. The city must find a housing emergency, and the governor must approve. So your city's rules will not cap your rent. Some cities have their own renter guides for other topics, so check local governance.

    Texas State Law Library Rent Increases Texas State Law Library Can my landlord raise my rent?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  3. If you signed a lease for a set term, such as 1 year, the rent stays the same until that term ends. Your landlord cannot raise it in the middle of the term unless you agree. Your landlord cannot make you sign a change to the lease.

    Texas State Law Library When can a landlord change the lease? TexasLawHelp.org Can my landlord amend my lease?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  4. If you rent month to month, your landlord can raise the rent with notice. Texas law does not set a separate notice period for a rent increase. Instead, Property Code § 91.001 says a month-to-month tenancy ends at least 1 month after notice is given. Legal aid guidance reads this as 30 days' notice before a rent change takes effect. The clock starts the day you get the notice.

    TexasLawHelp.org Can my landlord amend my lease? Texas Legislature Property Code § 91.001(b)

    ✓ Sources checked September 8, 2026

  5. Read your lease before you count on 1 month's notice. Property Code § 91.001 lets a landlord and tenant sign an agreement with a different notice period, or with no notice at all. If your lease sets a shorter period, that shorter period applies.

    Texas Legislature Property Code § 91.001(e)

    ✓ Sources checked September 8, 2026

  6. When your lease term ends, your landlord does not need a reason to offer a higher rent or to not renew. You can try to negotiate a lower amount. If the landlord says no, you must pay the new rent or move out when the lease ends. One exception: in low-income housing tax credit buildings, the landlord needs good cause to end your lease.

    TexasLawHelp.org (Austin Tenants Council) Myths About Terminating a Lease Texas State Law Library Can my landlord raise my rent?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  7. Your landlord may not raise your rent as punishment. Property Code § 92.331 protects you for 6 months after you take a protected action. Protected actions include asking for repairs in good faith. They also include a good-faith complaint to a government agency or utility about a code or utility problem, and joining a tenant group. During those 6 months, a rent increase, ending your lease, or an eviction because of your action counts as retaliation (punishment for using your rights). The 6 months start on the day you take the action.

    Texas State Law Library Retaliation Office of the Texas Attorney General If You Have Problems Texas Legislature Property Code § 92.331(a)

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  8. Not every increase in those 6 months is retaliation. Your landlord can defend an increase by showing it was not a punishment. An increase that applies to every unit in the building is the main example. An increase your lease already allows is another. The landlord has to prove this in court.

    TexasLawHelp.org Are there any exceptions to the six-month protection period?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  9. If you think the increase is retaliation, build a paper trail. First, keep a dated copy of any repair requests or complaints. Then keep the rent increase notice and note the date you got it. After that, send your landlord a dated letter asking them to withdraw the increase.

    TexasLawHelp.org What can I do if my landlord retaliates against me?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  10. If the letter does not work, you can sue your landlord in justice court (the local small claims court) for retaliation. Property Code § 92.333 lets you ask for a penalty of 1 month's rent plus $500. You can also ask for your actual losses, moving costs, court costs, and lawyer fees. If your rent is $1,000, the penalty is $1,500. The court subtracts any rent you still owe. Justice court handles claims up to $20,000, and TexasLawHelp has a free petition form.

    Texas State Law Library Retaliation TexasLawHelp.org Lawsuit Petition for Retaliation, instructions

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  11. Only claim retaliation for a real problem. Under Property Code § 92.334, a knowingly false lawsuit about a housing code violation has a cost. Your landlord can evict you and collect 1 month's rent plus $500 from you, plus court costs and lawyer fees. If an inspector finds no problem, a court may treat that as proof of bad faith.

    TexasLawHelp.org Can I get in trouble for false complaints against my landlord?

    ✓ Sources checked September 11, 2026

  12. If you stay past the notice period and do not pay the new rent, your landlord cannot lock you out or remove your things. Under Property Code § 24.005, the landlord must first give you a written notice to vacate (a letter saying you must move out). That notice must give at least 3 days, unless your lease sets a different period. Then the landlord must file an eviction case in justice court and win before a constable can remove you.

    Texas Legislature Property Code § 24.005(a) TexasLawHelp.org (Austin Tenants Council) Myths About Eviction

    ✓ Sources checked September 8, 2026

  13. If you live in public housing or use a Section 8 voucher, your share of rent is set by your income, not by the market. In public housing, rent is based on your household's yearly income minus allowed deductions. With a voucher, your family pays 30% of adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities (water, electric, gas), and the housing authority pays the rest. For example, 30% of $2,000 adjusted monthly income is $600. If your landlord raises the rent, tell your housing authority before you pay more.

    U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development How is rent determined? TexasLawHelp.org How is the rent amount determined, and how much will I pay? Texas State Law Library Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

    ✓ Sources checked September 8, 2026

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