Bryan renters — neighbors to College Station and Texas A&M University — are protected by Texas state law covering security deposits, habitability, and eviction procedures, even though no rent control exists anywhere in Texas.·Updated April 2026
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Key Takeaways
Discover whether rent control applies in Bryan, 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 Bryan.
Check whether Bryan has tenant ordinances beyond what Texas law requires.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (lanwt.org), Texas Law Help (texaslawhelp.org)
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Bryan
Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County and part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area, adjacent to Texas A&M University. It has a substantial renter population, including university-affiliated residents and working families. Texas state law — the Texas Property Code — governs all landlord-tenant relationships in Bryan. There is no local rent control, and Texas law expressly prohibits municipalities from enacting it (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902). Texas provides meaningful baseline protections on security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process.
2. Does Bryan Have Rent Control?
Bryan has no rent control ordinance, and Texas state law expressly prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902). Landlords may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenancies, at least one month's written notice is required to terminate or materially change the tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Review your lease for any contractual notice requirements that may be longer.
3. Texas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Bryan
Texas law provides the following key protections for Bryan tenants:
Security Deposit: Landlords must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out with a written, itemized statement of deductions. Wrongful withholding in bad faith can expose the landlord to 3× the deposit amount plus $100 and attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Repairs & Habitability: Landlords must make repairs that materially affect health or safety within a reasonable time after written notice. Remedies include repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent) or lease termination (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056).
Retaliation Protection: A landlord cannot raise rent, reduce services, or file for eviction in retaliation for exercising a legal right (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
Lockout & Utility Shutoff: Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord cannot change locks or shut off utilities without a court order (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081).
4. Security Deposit Rules in Bryan
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103, your landlord must return your security deposit — along with a written, itemized list of deductions — within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address. Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted. If your landlord wrongfully withholds the deposit in bad faith, you may sue for three times the withheld amount plus $100 and reasonable attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Texas does not cap the dollar amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Bryan
To evict a tenant in Bryan, a landlord must first provide written notice to vacate — typically 3 days for nonpayment of rent, though the lease may specify a different period. If you do not vacate, the landlord must file a forcible detainer lawsuit in Brazos County Justice Court. You have the right to appear and contest the eviction. Only after a court judgment and a writ of possession may a constable remove the tenant. Self-help eviction — including lockouts and utility shutoffs — is prohibited under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and may give rise to a civil claim against the landlord.
6. Resources for Bryan Tenants
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas — Free civil legal services for low-income Texans in Brazos County, covering eviction defense and housing cases.
Texas Law Help — Free legal information and forms on Texas tenant rights, deposits, and evictions.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Bryan 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. Bryan has no rent control ordinance, and Texas state law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits cities from enacting rent control. Landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Bryan?
There is no limit on rent increases in Bryan or anywhere in Texas. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Check your lease for any specific notice requirements.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Bryan?
Your landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days after you move out and provide a forwarding address, with an itemized written statement of deductions (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Wrongful withholding in bad faith can result in 3× the deposit plus $100 and attorney fees.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Bryan?
For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give at least 3 days' written notice to vacate. For termination of a month-to-month tenancy, at least one month's notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The landlord must then file in Brazos County Justice Court — self-help eviction is illegal.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Bryan?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove doors, or shut off utilities without a court order (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081). If this happens, you may be entitled to damages.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Bryan?
Send your repair request in writing. If the landlord fails to make repairs that materially affect health or safety within a reasonable time, you may repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or seek damages (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056). Contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for free legal assistance in Brazos County.
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