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Alton is a rapidly expanding municipality in Hidalgo County, situated in the Rio Grande Valley near McAllen. The city has seen significant residential growth in recent years, and a large portion of its residents rent their homes. Like all Texas renters, Alton tenants are governed entirely by state law — the Texas Property Code — since the City of Alton has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what the state requires.
Renters in Alton most commonly ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, what steps a landlord must follow before eviction, and what to do when repairs go unaddressed. While Texas law does not cap how much a landlord can raise rent, it does provide meaningful protections around deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process. Understanding these rights is essential for every renter in the Valley.
This page is intended as a general informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization such as Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.
Alton has no rent control, and Texas state law makes that permanent. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, Texas expressly prohibits any city, county, or other local government from enacting an ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This preemption applies statewide — including Alton and the rest of Hidalgo County — regardless of local housing conditions or affordability concerns.
In practice, this means your landlord in Alton can raise your rent by any amount at any time, as long as they provide proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that notice must be at least one full rental period in advance (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in until the lease expires; after that, the landlord sets a new rate for any renewal. There is no cap, no required justification, and no local board to appeal to — rent increases in Alton are entirely market-driven.
Although Alton has no local ordinances, Texas state law provides the following protections for all renters:
Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Texas law does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. However, landlords must return your deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit in bad faith, you may sue for three times the withheld amount plus attorney's fees (§ 92.109).
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords are required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant. To trigger this obligation, you must provide written notice of the problem. If the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time (generally 7 days for urgent conditions), you may have the right to repair-and-deduct — up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent — or to terminate the lease without penalty. You must be current on rent and have given proper written notice to exercise these remedies.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must give at least one full rental period's written notice before terminating. In most cases, that means at least one month's notice. A lease may specify a longer period. Fixed-term leases end on their expiration date unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs in good faith, filing a complaint with a housing inspector, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any right under the Texas Property Code. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, reduction of services, threats to evict, or actual eviction within six months of a protected activity. If retaliation is proven, you may recover one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees (§ 92.333).
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): A landlord cannot lock you out of your unit, remove exterior doors or windows, or interrupt utility service to force you to vacate. Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. If your landlord illegally locks you out, you may obtain an immediate court order to re-enter, and you may be entitled to actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Texas does not set a maximum limit on how much a landlord in Alton may charge for a security deposit — that amount is set by the lease agreement. Once you move out, however, the Texas Property Code gives your landlord a strict deadline and specific requirements for returning it.
Return Deadline: Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103, a landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days after you surrender possession of the unit. The clock starts when you vacate and provide a written forwarding address. If you do not provide a forwarding address, the landlord's obligation is delayed until you do.
Itemized Statement Required: If the landlord makes any deductions, they must provide a written, itemized description of each deduction and the reason for it (§ 92.104). Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damages beyond normal wear and tear. They cannot deduct for ordinary wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord acts in bad faith by retaining a deposit — or failing to provide the itemized statement — without a valid legal basis, you may sue for three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus attorney's fees and court costs (§ 92.109). Before suing, make sure you provided your forwarding address in writing and that you did not owe rent when you vacated.
Texas has a detailed legal process that landlords must follow to evict a tenant. In Alton, that process is governed by the Texas Property Code and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities — is illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must give you a written notice to vacate. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the default notice period is 3 days (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005), though the lease may specify a shorter or longer period. For lease violations or end of lease term, the lease or statute determines the notice period. The notice may be delivered in person, posted on the inside of the main entry door, or sent by certified mail.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice of the Peace Court: If you do not vacate by the deadline in the notice, the landlord may file an eviction suit (called a forcible detainer) in the Justice of the Peace Court for Hidalgo County Precinct covering Alton. You will be served with a citation and a hearing date, which must be set no sooner than 10 days after filing (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.4).
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may present their case at the hearing. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered. You have 5 days to appeal the judgment to the County Court at Law (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.9).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If no appeal is filed and you have not vacated, the landlord may request a writ of possession after the appeal period expires. A constable will post a 24-hour notice and then physically remove you if necessary.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Texas law does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to non-renew a lease or end a month-to-month tenancy. Proper written notice is all that is legally required, as long as the action is not retaliatory under § 92.331.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect your legal rights and remedies. For advice about your individual circumstances, consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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