Tenant Rights in Beeville, Texas

Key Takeaways

  • None — prohibited statewide by Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902
  • Must be returned within 30 days with itemized deductions; wrongful withholding can cost landlord 3× the deposit (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109)
  • At least 1 month's written notice required to end a month-to-month tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001)
  • No just cause requirement in Texas; landlord may terminate with proper notice, then must file in court (Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24)
  • Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Texas Law Help, Austin Tenants Council

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Beeville

Beeville is the county seat of Bee County in South Texas, with a population of approximately 13,000 residents. A meaningful share of Beeville households rent their homes, and renters in this community — like all Texas renters — rely primarily on state law for their tenant protections. The city has enacted no local tenant rights ordinances beyond what Texas statutes already require.

The most common questions Beeville renters ask involve security deposit returns, landlord duties to make repairs, and what a landlord can and cannot do when trying to remove a tenant. Texas law addresses each of these areas through the Texas Property Code, which sets enforceable standards that apply in every city in the state, including Beeville.

This article summarizes the tenant rights that apply to renters in Beeville, Texas, based on state law as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed attorney or contact a free legal aid organization.

2. Does Beeville Have Rent Control?

Beeville has no rent control, and Texas state law prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no municipality or county in Texas may adopt a rent control ordinance or any regulation that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This preemption is statewide and applies to Beeville, Bee County, and every other jurisdiction in Texas.

In practical terms, this means your landlord in Beeville can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with at least one month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). There is no cap on how much the rent can increase, and no requirement that the landlord justify or limit the size of any increase. Tenants who cannot afford a proposed rent increase have the option to give proper notice and vacate before the new rate takes effect.

While rent control is unavailable as a protection, Texas law does give renters meaningful rights in other areas — including security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process — which are described in detail throughout this article.

3. Texas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Beeville

The following Texas state law protections apply to all residential renters in Beeville.

Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Landlords must return your security deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days after you surrender possession of the unit. If your landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus attorney's fees.

Habitability and 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 give written notice of the problem, and your landlord must be given a reasonable time to make the repair (generally 7 days for most situations). If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to repair the problem yourself and deduct the cost from rent — up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent — or to terminate the lease without penalty, or to pursue remedies in court.

Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): Either the landlord or tenant must give at least one month's written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. If your lease specifies a different notice period, that period controls, but it cannot be less than the statutory minimum for the party giving notice.

Anti-Retaliation Protection (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for requesting repairs, filing a complaint with a housing authority, or exercising any right under Texas law. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, threatening eviction, or filing a frivolous eviction suit. If your landlord retaliates, you may recover one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.333).

Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): It is illegal in Texas for a landlord to lock you out of your unit, remove exterior doors or windows, or interrupt your utility services as a means of forcing you to leave or pay rent, without a court order. If a landlord does this, you have the right to recover possession of your unit, one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Beeville

Texas law governs security deposits for all residential rentals in Beeville under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109.

No statutory cap: Texas does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords and tenants negotiate the deposit amount as part of the lease.

30-day return deadline: After you vacate and surrender possession of the rental unit, your landlord has 30 days to return your deposit. If the landlord makes deductions, they must provide a written, itemized description of each deduction along with the remaining balance returned to you. The landlord does not have to return your deposit if you fail to provide a forwarding address, but the obligation to return it does not disappear — it is triggered once you provide that address.

Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord retains all or part of your deposit in bad faith — meaning without a legitimate basis and without providing the required written itemization — you may recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees in a lawsuit (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). The burden is on the landlord to prove that any deduction was made in good faith.

Normal wear and tear: Landlords may not deduct from your deposit for normal wear and tear. Deductions are permissible only for damages beyond ordinary use, unpaid rent, or other lease violations specifically stated in the lease agreement.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Beeville

Evictions in Beeville are governed by Texas state law, primarily Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24 (the Forcible Entry and Detainer statutes) and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

No just cause requirement: Texas does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month lease. However, the landlord must follow the legal process — they cannot remove a tenant without a court order.

Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing an eviction lawsuit, a landlord must give the tenant a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the notice period is at least 3 days unless the lease provides otherwise (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month tenancies being terminated without cause, at least one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The notice must be delivered in person, by mail, or posted on the inside of the main entry door.

Step 2 — Filing a Forcible Detainer Suit: If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline stated in the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible detainer) suit in Bee County Justice of the Peace Court. The tenant will receive a citation with a hearing date, typically scheduled within 10–21 days of filing.

Step 3 — Justice Court Hearing: Both parties may present evidence at the hearing. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is issued. The tenant has 5 days to appeal to the county court at law if they wish to contest the ruling (Tex. Rules Civ. Proc. Rule 510.9).

Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If no appeal is filed and the tenant has not vacated, the landlord may request a writ of possession from the court. A constable or sheriff will then carry out the physical removal of the tenant and their belongings.

Self-help eviction is illegal: A landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, shut off your utilities, or take any other action to force you out without following the court process. Doing so is a violation of Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and entitles the tenant to damages including one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees.

6. Resources for Beeville Tenants

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 application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Beeville and Texas renters with legal questions or disputes should consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently or with qualified legal counsel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Beeville have rent control?
No. Beeville has no rent control ordinance, and Texas state law prohibits any city or county from enacting one under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902. This preemption applies statewide, so no municipality in Texas — including Beeville — can cap rents or limit rent increases on private residential property.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Beeville?
There is no legal limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Beeville. Because Texas prohibits rent control under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, a landlord may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before the new rent takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For fixed-term leases, rent can only be raised at the end of the lease term unless the lease itself allows mid-term increases.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Beeville?
Your landlord must return your security deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days after you vacate and surrender possession of the unit (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). If the landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to three times the withheld amount plus $100 and attorney's fees under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109. Make sure to provide a forwarding address so the landlord knows where to send the deposit.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Beeville?
For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give you at least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing an eviction lawsuit, unless your lease specifies a longer period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month tenancies ended without cause, at least one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). After the notice period expires without compliance, the landlord must file a forcible detainer suit in Justice of the Peace Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Beeville?
No. It is illegal in Texas for a landlord to lock you out, remove your doors or windows, or shut off your utilities to force you out without going through the court process (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081). If your landlord does any of these things, you have the right to recover possession of your unit plus damages including one month's rent, $500, actual damages, court costs, and attorney's fees. You can contact local law enforcement or file an emergency motion in Justice of the Peace Court.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Beeville?
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056, your landlord must make repairs that materially affect your health or safety after you give written notice of the problem. If the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time (generally 7 days for most conditions), you may have the right to repair-and-deduct up to $500 or one month's rent, terminate the lease without penalty, or sue for damages. Always put your repair request in writing and keep a copy — this is essential for protecting your legal rights under Texas law.

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