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Bastrop is a growing city in Bastrop County, situated along the Colorado River roughly 30 miles southeast of Austin. As the Austin metro area has expanded, Bastrop has seen increasing rental demand, making it important for renters in the area to understand their legal rights and protections under Texas state law.
Texas does not have rent control, and Bastrop has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides. However, Texas does offer meaningful protections covering security deposits, landlord repair obligations, anti-retaliation rules, and the eviction process — all of which apply to every renter in Bastrop.
This page summarizes the key tenant rights that apply to renters in Bastrop, Texas, with citations to the specific statutes that govern each protection. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Bastrop has no rent control, and Texas state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no municipality or county in Texas may adopt or enforce any ordinance or rule that controls the price at which private residential rental housing is offered for rent. This statewide preemption means that neither the City of Bastrop nor Bastrop County can pass a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance, regardless of local housing conditions.
In practice, this means your landlord in Bastrop can raise your rent by any amount at any time — as long as proper written notice is given 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 tenants with a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be raised during the lease term unless the lease itself expressly permits it. Once your lease expires or renews, any new rent amount your landlord proposes is legally permissible under Texas law.
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Texas landlords are required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of ordinary tenants. To trigger this obligation, you must give your landlord written notice of the needed repair and allow a reasonable time to fix it (generally 7 days for urgent issues). If your landlord fails to act, you may have the right to terminate your lease, pursue repair-and-deduct remedies (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), or seek a court order compelling repairs. Your lease must not waive these rights.
Security Deposit (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Landlords must return your 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 in Texas, but wrongful withholding can result in the landlord owing you 3 times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month rental agreements, either party must give at least one month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. Lease agreements may specify a different notice period, but that period cannot be fewer than one month unless both parties agree in writing to a shorter period after the tenancy has already begun.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right, such as requesting repairs, contacting a housing inspector, complaining to a government agency, or joining a tenant organization. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, eviction threats, and lease non-renewals. Retaliation within six months of a protected tenant action creates a rebuttable presumption in your favor under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.333.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Texas law prohibits landlords from using self-help eviction tactics. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove doors or windows, or cut off utilities — including electricity, water, or gas — to force you out without going through the formal court eviction process. Violating this provision entitles the tenant to actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and the right to remain in possession.
Texas security deposit law is governed by Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109. There is no statutory limit on how large a security deposit a Bastrop landlord may charge. However, once you move out, your landlord must return your deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days of your move-out date.
Along with any refund, your landlord must provide a written, itemized list explaining each deduction. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent and for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Routine cleaning, carpet wear from ordinary use, and minor scuffs are generally not deductible as damages.
If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit in bad faith, Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109 authorizes a court to award you three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees. To protect your rights, always provide written notice of your forwarding address before or when you move out — failure to do so may reduce your ability to recover. Keep copies of all move-in and move-out documentation, including photos and written communications with your landlord.
Texas eviction procedures are governed primarily by Tex. Prop. Code §§ 24.001–24.011 and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Bastrop renters are subject to these state rules, and there is no local just-cause eviction ordinance that provides additional protections.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must first provide proper written notice. For nonpayment of rent, this is a 3-day written notice to vacate (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month tenancies being terminated, at least one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Notice periods may be modified by the lease agreement, but the minimum 3-day notice for nonpayment generally cannot be waived.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice Court: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file an eviction suit (called a forcible detainer action) in Bastrop County Justice Court. The tenant will be served with a citation and a hearing date is typically set within 10–21 days.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may present evidence at the hearing. If the judge rules for the landlord, the tenant has five days to appeal to the county court at law. If no appeal is filed, the landlord may request a writ of possession, authorizing a constable to remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord in Bastrop may never lock you out, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force you to leave without completing the court process. Such actions violate Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and entitle you to immediate legal remedies including actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, and the right to remain in your unit.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and local ordinances or court interpretations may affect how the law applies to your specific situation. RentCheckMe makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you have a legal issue involving your tenancy, please consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as the Austin Tenants Council or Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions.
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