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Addison is a small, densely developed town in Dallas County with a population of roughly 16,000 residents. Despite its compact size, Addison has a high proportion of renters — the town is home to numerous apartment complexes and is popular with young professionals working in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Renters in Addison most commonly search for information about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs.
All tenant rights in Addison are governed by Texas state law, specifically the Texas Property Code. The town has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what the state requires. Texas law provides meaningful protections on security deposits, habitability, anti-retaliation, and the eviction process — but it does not cap rent increases or require landlords to show cause before terminating a tenancy.
This article is intended as a general informational guide to help Addison renters understand their rights under Texas law. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consider contacting a licensed attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Addison has no rent control, and Texas law prohibits it. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no city or county in Texas may enact any ordinance or other measure that controls the price of rent charged for residential housing. This preemption is absolute — it applies to every municipality in the state, including Addison.
In practice, this means your landlord in Addison can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they give you proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least one month's written notice under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001. For fixed-term lease tenants, a landlord may only raise rent when the lease is up for renewal unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
There is no cap on how much a landlord can raise rent, no requirement to justify the increase, and no local board or agency that oversees rent levels. Renters who are concerned about affordability should carefully review lease renewal terms and understand their options regarding notice and early termination.
Although Texas does not have rent control, the Texas Property Code provides several important protections for renters in Addison.
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords in Texas are legally required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant. After a tenant provides written notice of the problem, the landlord must make the repair within a reasonable time — generally interpreted as about seven days for serious issues. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may have the right to pursue remedies including repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), lease termination, or a rent reduction through the courts.
Security Deposit Rules (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Landlords must return a tenant's security deposit within 30 days of move-out, along with a written itemized list of any deductions. There is no statutory cap on the deposit amount, but unlawful withholding carries significant penalties (see the security deposit section below).
Notice to Terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must give at least one month's written notice before ending the tenancy. A fixed-term lease ends automatically at the lease expiration date unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, reporting code violations to a housing inspector, or contacting a tenant rights organization. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, reducing services, filing an eviction suit, or threatening any of those actions. If retaliation occurs within six months of the protected activity, there is a rebuttable legal presumption that it was retaliatory.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot change the locks, remove exterior doors or windows, or cut off utilities (such as electricity or water) in order to force a tenant to leave. These actions must only occur through the formal court eviction process.
Texas law governs security deposits for Addison renters under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101 through 92.109. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Texas — landlords may set the amount as they see fit, and it is negotiable at the time of lease signing.
Return Deadline: After a tenant moves out, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit. If the landlord makes deductions, they must also provide a written, itemized statement explaining each deduction within that same 30-day window. The 30-day clock begins on the date the tenant surrenders the property (vacates and returns keys).
Deductions: Landlords may only deduct from the deposit for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, or other lease violations. Deductions for normal wear and tear — such as minor scuffs on walls or carpet worn from ordinary use — are not permitted.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit in bad faith, the tenant may be entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109. To preserve these rights, tenants should provide their landlord with a written forwarding address after moving out, as a landlord is not liable for failing to return a deposit if no forwarding address was given.
Evictions in Addison follow the Texas eviction process set out in the Texas Property Code and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Landlords must follow every step — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005): Before filing anything in court, the landlord must give the tenant a written Notice to Vacate. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the statutory minimum is 3 days (unless the lease specifies a different period). For month-to-month tenancies being terminated without cause, at least 1 month's written notice is required under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001. The notice must be delivered in person, posted on the inside of the main entry door, or sent by certified mail.
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Suit: If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline in the notice, the landlord may file an eviction suit (called a forcible detainer action) in the Justice of the Peace Court for Dallas County Precinct 2 (which covers Addison). The filing fee is nominal, and a hearing is typically scheduled within 10–21 days.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear at the hearing, present evidence, and call witnesses. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant has 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not appeal and does not vacate, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession from the court. A constable will post a 24-hour notice and then physically remove the tenant and their belongings if necessary.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): A landlord in Addison cannot lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or cut off utilities to force a tenant out. Doing so is a criminal offense and entitles the tenant to actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, and attorney's fees.
No Just Cause Requirement: Texas does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to evict a tenant at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. However, eviction for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons is prohibited under state and federal law.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, and individual circumstances vary significantly. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, laws and local ordinances can change at any time. Renters in Addison, Texas who have a specific dispute or legal question should consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
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