Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Dickinson is a growing city in Galveston County, southeast of Houston along Interstate 45. Its proximity to the Houston metro area and the Gulf Coast has fueled steady residential development, making rental housing a significant part of the local market. Many Dickinson renters search for answers about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what to do when a landlord refuses to fix a serious problem — questions that Texas state law directly addresses.
Unlike some states, Texas does not give cities or counties authority to create local rent control rules or tenant protections beyond what state law provides. That means Dickinson renters are governed entirely by the Texas Property Code, which covers deposits, habitability, retaliation, and eviction procedures in detail. Understanding these statewide protections is the most important step any Dickinson renter can take.
This guide summarizes the tenant rights laws most relevant to Dickinson renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Texas attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Dickinson has no rent control, and Texas law prohibits it. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no city or county in Texas may enact any ordinance that controls the price of rent for residential housing. This statewide preemption statute means Dickinson City Council has no legal authority to cap rents, even if local officials wanted to do so.
In practice, this means a landlord in Dickinson can raise your rent by any amount — there is no legal cap on the size of an increase. The only constraint is procedural: for a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For fixed-term leases, the rent is set by the lease contract and cannot be raised mid-lease unless the lease specifically allows it.
If you receive a rent increase notice, you are not required to accept it. You may choose to negotiate, give proper notice and vacate, or — if the increase appears retaliatory — assert your rights under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331 (see anti-retaliation protections below).
Texas state law provides several key protections for all renters in Dickinson. Each is described below with its governing statute.
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords must make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant within a reasonable time after receiving your written repair request. Before you can exercise remedies, you must be current on rent and have given written notice. If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or seek a rent reduction — depending on the circumstances. Document all repair requests in writing and keep copies.
Security Deposit Rules (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days of your move-out date, along with a written, itemized list of any deductions. There is no statutory cap on the deposit amount a landlord may collect in Texas, but wrongful withholding carries serious penalties (see Security Deposit section below).
Notice Requirements (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least one month's written notice. For fixed-term leases, the lease end date governs. Notice to vacate for non-payment of rent requires at least three days unless the lease specifies a shorter or longer period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005).
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against you for requesting repairs, complaining to a government agency, exercising a right under your lease, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, eviction threats, reduced services, and lockouts. If a landlord retaliates within six months of a protected act, Texas law presumes the action was retaliatory. Remedies include one month's rent plus $500, attorney's fees, and court costs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.333).
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove exterior doors or windows, or intentionally cut off your electricity, water, or other utilities to pressure you to leave. Violations entitle you to regain entry and sue for actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Texas law governs security deposits for all Dickinson rentals under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109. There is no statutory limit on how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit — the amount is set by the lease agreement.
Return deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — or the balance remaining after lawful deductions — within 30 days after you surrender the property (vacate and return keys). Alongside any partial refund, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement explaining each deduction. If there are no deductions, the full deposit must be returned within 30 days with no statement required.
Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other amounts owed under the lease. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104).
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord in bad faith retains all or part of your deposit without a valid written itemization, or fails to return it within 30 days, you can sue for three times the portion wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). To protect your rights, always give written notice of your forwarding address before move-out, document the condition of the unit with dated photographs, and keep a copy of all communications with your landlord.
Texas eviction law — called a forcible entry and detainer action — applies in Dickinson. The process is governed primarily by Tex. Prop. Code § 24.001 et seq. and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Landlords must follow the legal process; there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to vacate. The minimum notice periods are: (a) 3 days for nonpayment of rent or lease violations, unless the lease specifies a different period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005); and (b) 1 month for terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The notice may be delivered in person, by mail, or by posting on the inside of the main entry door.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice Court: If you do not vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction petition in the Justice Court for Galveston County Precinct 1 (or the applicable precinct). You will be served with a citation and a hearing date, typically set 10–21 days after filing.
Step 3 — The Hearing: You have the right to appear and present a defense. Valid defenses may include payment of rent, improper notice, retaliation, or habitability issues. If the judge rules for the landlord, you have 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.9).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If you do not appeal or the appeal fails, the landlord may apply for a writ of possession no sooner than 6 days after the judgment. A constable will post a 24-hour notice before physically enforcing the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord in Dickinson may never lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you out without completing the court process. Doing so violates Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and entitles you to damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, and attorney's fees. Call local law enforcement if your landlord attempts a self-help eviction.
No Just Cause Requirement: Texas does not require a landlord to state a reason for non-renewing a lease or ending a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given and the action is not retaliatory under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. The information here reflects Texas state law as of April 2026 and may not capture recent legislative changes or local developments. Renters in Dickinson with specific legal questions should consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as Lone Star Legal Aid. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.