Last updated: April 2026
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.
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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.
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).
Texas law provides the following key protections for Brownsville tenants:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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