Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Dumas is the county seat of Moore County in the Texas Panhandle, a small agricultural and energy-sector community where a significant share of residents rent their homes. Like all Texas cities, Dumas is governed exclusively by state landlord-tenant law — there are no city ordinances that expand or modify the rights renters hold under the Texas Property Code.
Renters in Dumas most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs, and what notice is required before an eviction. Texas law addresses each of these areas with specific rules and deadlines that both landlords and tenants must follow, regardless of what a lease may say.
This page summarizes the tenant rights that apply to Dumas renters under Texas law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact a licensed Texas attorney or a free legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Dumas, Texas — and no Texas city or county may enact one. Texas state law explicitly preempts any local ordinance, rule, or regulation that would control the amount of rent charged for residential property. This prohibition is codified at Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, which states that a municipality may not adopt a rent control ordinance or policy. The same restriction applies to counties.
In practice, this means a landlord in Dumas can raise your rent by any amount at any time — as long as they give you proper advance notice. For a month-to-month lease, that means at least one month's written notice before the rent increase takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in until the lease ends; a landlord cannot raise it mid-lease unless the lease itself provides for that.
Because there is no rent stabilization and no required justification for a rent increase, the most important protection Dumas renters have against large increases is the notice requirement — which gives you time to budget, negotiate, or find alternative housing. If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory (for example, after you requested repairs or contacted a housing inspector), that raises separate legal issues under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331.
Although Dumas has no local tenant ordinances, Texas state law provides renters with meaningful protections across several key areas.
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 of your move-out date. If a landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to three times the amount withheld, plus your attorney's fees (§ 92.109). Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Your landlord must make repairs that materially affect your health or safety within a reasonable time after you submit a written repair request. If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to terminate the lease, pursue a rent reduction, or use the repair-and-deduct remedy — allowing you to hire a repair person and deduct the cost from rent, up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent. You must follow the statutory notice procedures precisely to preserve these remedies.
Notice to Terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least one month's written notice before terminating the lease. A landlord cannot simply tell you to leave without providing this notice in writing.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, filing a complaint with a housing authority, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or filing an eviction. If a landlord retaliates within six months of a protected act, there is a presumption of retaliation under Texas law.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your doors or windows, or shut off your utilities to force you out. If your landlord does any of these things, you have the right to recover possession, actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Texas law governs security deposits for all Dumas rentals under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge for a security deposit in Texas, so the amount is set by the lease agreement.
Return deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — or the unreturned balance with a written itemized accounting of deductions — within 30 days after you surrender the premises (vacate and return keys). The written statement must describe each deduction and the reason for it.
Permissible deductions: A landlord may deduct for unpaid rent and for damages to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. Routine wear and tear (nail holes from picture hanging, minor carpet wear, paint fading) cannot be charged against your deposit.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If your landlord retains all or part of your deposit in bad faith — without a valid reason or without providing the required itemized written statement — you may sue and recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus your reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). To protect your rights, give your landlord your new forwarding address in writing when you move out; under § 92.107, a landlord is not required to return a deposit if you fail to provide a forwarding address.
Evictions in Dumas follow the Texas eviction process set out in the Texas Property Code and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Texas does not require a landlord to have 'just cause' to evict a month-to-month tenant; however, the landlord must follow strict procedural steps.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, a landlord must give you a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the minimum notice period is 3 days unless the lease specifies a different period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must provide at least one month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The notice must be delivered in person, by mail, or by posting on the main entry door.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice Court: If you do not vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible detainer) suit in the Justice of the Peace Court for Moore County (Precinct 1). You will be served with a citation and a hearing date, typically set within 10–21 days of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may appear and present evidence at the hearing. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, you typically have 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law. If you do not appeal, a writ of possession may be issued, allowing a constable to remove you from the property.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, cut off utilities, or use threats or intimidation to force you to leave — even if you owe rent. These acts constitute an illegal 'self-help' eviction under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. If your landlord does this, you may recover possession of the unit, one month's rent plus $1,000, actual damages, and attorney's fees.
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. Renters in Dumas, Texas should verify current statutes with the Texas Legislature Online and consult a licensed Texas attorney or a qualified legal aid organization for advice tailored to their circumstances. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by use of this site.
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.