Last updated: April 2026
Arlington renters are protected by Texas state law on security deposits, habitability, and eviction — but the city has no rent control and no local tenant ordinances beyond state requirements.
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Arlington is the seventh-largest city in Texas and the largest city in the United States without its own public transit system, with a population exceeding 390,000. A significant portion of Arlington residents are renters — particularly around the University of Texas at Arlington campus, the Entertainment District, and the city's many apartment corridors along I-30 and Highway 360. Renters in Arlington commonly search for information about security deposit disputes, repair requests, and what notice their landlord must give before ending a tenancy or raising rent.
Arlington has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what Texas state law provides. That means renters here rely entirely on the Texas Property Code for their rights regarding deposits, habitability, retaliation, and eviction procedure. While Texas law does not offer rent control or just-cause eviction protections, it does establish meaningful rights around security deposits, required repairs, and illegal self-help evictions that every Arlington renter should know.
This page is an informational summary of the laws that apply to Arlington renters as of April 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific lease or circumstances may affect your rights. If you have a dispute with your landlord, consider contacting a local legal aid organization or a licensed Texas attorney.
Arlington has no rent control, and Texas law prohibits any city or county from ever enacting it. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, Texas municipalities and counties are expressly preempted from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential property. This statewide prohibition applies equally to Arlington, meaning the city cannot pass a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance regardless of local political will.
In practical terms, this means an Arlington landlord can raise your rent by any dollar amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required notice before the new rent takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that notice period is at least one month (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For tenants on a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in at the agreed amount until the lease term ends — after which the landlord may propose any new rent for a renewal. There is no cap, no formula, and no city agency that reviews or approves rent increases in Arlington.
Although Arlington has no local tenant ordinances, Texas state law provides a set of important baseline protections that apply to every residential rental in the city.
Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Texas imposes no statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge for a security deposit, but once you move out, the landlord must return your deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to three times the wrongfully withheld amount plus $100, attorney's fees, and court costs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Your landlord is legally required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant — things like a broken heater in winter, a leaking roof, or a non-functioning deadbolt. To trigger this obligation, you must: (1) give written notice of the condition, (2) not be behind on rent, and (3) allow a reasonable time to repair. If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or pursue the landlord in Justice of the Peace court.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): If you rent month-to-month, your landlord must give you at least one month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. You owe the landlord the same notice if you choose to leave. The lease agreement may specify a longer notice period; if so, that longer period controls.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, complaining to a housing code inspector, or joining a tenants' organization. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, filing an eviction, or threatening any of those actions within six months of your protected activity. If a landlord retaliates, you may be entitled to one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 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 your utilities (such as electricity or water) in order to force you out without going through the formal court eviction process. This is called a self-help eviction and it is illegal in Texas. If your landlord does this, you are entitled to regain entry, recover one month's rent plus $500, and sue for actual damages and attorney's fees.
Texas law governing security deposits is found in Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109 and applies to all Arlington rental units. There is no statutory cap on the deposit amount a landlord may charge — that figure is negotiated at the time of signing.
After you vacate, your landlord has 30 days to either return your full deposit or mail you a written, itemized statement explaining each deduction along with any remaining balance (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). The clock starts on the date you surrender possession of the unit (i.e., you return keys and vacate). If you provide a forwarding address in writing, the landlord must send the funds and statement to that address.
Normal wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes from pictures, carpet wear from ordinary use — cannot be deducted from your deposit. Only actual damages beyond normal use are permissible deductions.
If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit in bad faith, Texas law provides a strong remedy: the landlord is liable for three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Important: if you fail to provide a written forwarding address, the 30-day deadline is extended and the landlord's liability may be reduced. Always provide your new address in writing at move-out.
Landlords in Arlington must follow the formal Texas court process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts. The eviction process is governed primarily by Tex. Prop. Code §§ 24.001–24.011 and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, a landlord must deliver a written notice to vacate. The required notice period depends on the reason:
Step 2 — Filing in Justice of the Peace Court: If you do not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) lawsuit in the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Court for the precinct covering your address. A hearing is typically scheduled within 10–21 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties may present evidence. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. You have 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.9).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If you do not appeal or the appeal is unsuccessful, the landlord may request a writ of possession from the court, which authorizes a constable to physically remove you and your belongings. The constable must give at least 24 hours' notice before executing the writ (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.0061).
No Just Cause Required: Texas and Arlington do not require a landlord to have a specific reason (just cause) to end a tenancy — they simply must provide the correct notice period and follow the court process.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who locks you out, removes doors, or shuts off utilities to force you out — without a court order — violates Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and may owe you one month's rent plus $500 in damages, plus actual damages and attorney's fees. If this happens, call the Arlington Police non-emergency line and document everything.
No. Arlington has no rent control ordinance, and Texas state law expressly prohibits any city or county from enacting one (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902). This statewide preemption means no local government in Texas — including Arlington — can limit how much a landlord charges or increases rent on privately owned residential property.
There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Arlington. Because Texas law preempts all local rent control (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902), a landlord may increase rent by any amount. However, for month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before the new rent takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001), and if you are mid-lease on a fixed-term agreement, your rent cannot be raised until that term expires.
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate to return your security deposit along with a written, itemized list of any deductions (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit in bad faith, you can sue for three times the withheld amount plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Be sure to provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the 30-day clock.
For non-payment of rent or a lease violation, the landlord must give you at least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing in court (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005), though your lease may require a longer period. For ending a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). After the notice period expires, the landlord must file in Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord who locks you out, removes exterior doors or windows, or interrupts your utilities to force you to leave without a court order violates Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. If this happens, you are entitled to immediately regain entry and may sue for one month's rent plus $500, plus actual damages and attorney's fees. Document everything and contact Arlington Police or Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056, your landlord must fix conditions that materially affect health or safety after you provide written notice and are current on rent. If the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time, you may be able to repair-and-deduct the cost (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or sue in Justice of the Peace Court. Retaliating against you for requesting repairs is also illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331, and may entitle you to additional damages.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change through legislation, court decisions, and local ordinances; while we strive to keep this content current as of April 2026, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy at the time you read it. Your individual situation — including the specific terms of your lease, the date your tenancy began, and the facts of any dispute — may significantly affect your legal rights and options. If you have a specific legal problem, please consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and the use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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