Brownsville renters on the Texas-Mexico border rely on the Texas Property Code for their housing protections. There is no rent control in Texas, but the law provides meaningful rights around deposits, repairs, and eviction.·Updated April 2026
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Key Takeaways
Discover whether rent control applies in Brownsville, TX below.
See the Texas timeline for getting your deposit back and the penalties for landlord violations.
Learn the notice your landlord owes you before terminating a Texas tenancy.
Find out whether just-cause eviction rules protect tenants in Brownsville.
Check whether Brownsville has tenant ordinances beyond what Texas law requires.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (trla.org) and Texas Law Help (texaslawhelp.org) serve Brownsville renters.
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Brownsville
Brownsville is the southernmost city in Texas, located in Cameron County along the Rio Grande. All landlord-tenant rights in Brownsville are governed by the Texas Property Code — the city has no local tenant protection ordinances. Texas prohibits rent control statewide (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902). State law provides key protections on security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and eviction procedures.
2. Does Brownsville Have Rent Control?
Brownsville has no rent control. Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control ordinances. Landlords in Brownsville may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to at least one month's written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
3. Texas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Brownsville
Texas law provides the following key protections for Brownsville tenants:
Security Deposit: Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of deductions. Wrongful bad-faith withholding can result in 3× the deposit plus attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.109).
Repairs & Habitability: Landlords must repair conditions materially affecting health or safety after written notice. Remedies include repair-and-deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent) or lease termination (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056).
Retaliation Protection: Landlords cannot retaliate — through rent hikes, service cuts, or eviction filings — against tenants who request repairs or contact code enforcement (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
Lockout & Utility Shutoff: Locking out a tenant or cutting utilities to force a move without a court order is illegal (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081).
4. Security Deposit Rules in Brownsville
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103, your Brownsville landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Texas does not cap the deposit amount. If the landlord wrongfully withholds the deposit in bad faith, you can sue for three times the withheld amount plus $100 and attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Deductions for normal wear and tear are prohibited.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Brownsville
To evict a tenant in Brownsville, a landlord must provide written notice to vacate — at least 3 days for nonpayment of rent — and then file a forcible detainer action in Cameron County Justice Court if the tenant remains. The tenant has the right to appear and contest the eviction. A constable may only remove a tenant after a court issues a writ of possession. Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or property removal — is prohibited under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081.
6. Resources for Brownsville Tenants
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid — Free civil legal services for low-income Texans in South Texas including eviction defense and tenant rights.
Texas Law Help — Free legal information and self-help forms for Texas tenants.
Lone Star Legal Aid — Statewide free civil legal services for low-income Texans.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Brownsville and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. Brownsville has no rent control, and Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits cities from enacting it. There are no limits on rent increases.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Brownsville?
There is no cap on rent increases in Brownsville. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before a rent increase or termination takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Check your lease for additional notice requirements.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Brownsville?
Your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address, with an itemized written statement of deductions (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Bad-faith withholding can result in 3× the deposit plus attorney fees.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Brownsville?
At least 3 days' written notice to vacate is required before filing an eviction lawsuit for nonpayment of rent. For ending a month-to-month tenancy, at least one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). A court order is required before you can be removed.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Brownsville?
No. Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081) makes it illegal for a landlord to lock you out or shut off your utilities to force you out without a court order. You may be entitled to civil damages if this occurs.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Brownsville?
Put your repair request in writing. If the landlord fails to fix conditions materially affecting health or safety within a reasonable time, you may repair-and-deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or sue for damages (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056). You can also contact Brownsville's code enforcement or Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.
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