Last updated: April 2026
Harker Heights is a Bell County suburb near Fort Cavazos with a large military-affiliated rental market. There is no local rent control, but Texas state law provides protections on security deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures.
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Harker Heights is a city of approximately 32,000 in Bell County, Texas, located between Killeen and Fort Cavazos. The city serves a significant military and veteran community. Like all Texas cities, Harker Heights has no local rent control — Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 prohibits local rent regulation. Tenants are protected by the Texas Property Code covering deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures.
Military tenants should also be aware of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections, including the right to terminate a lease early upon deployment or permanent change of station orders. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free civil legal help for income-eligible Bell County residents.
Harker Heights has no rent control. Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 prohibits all local rent regulation in Texas. Landlords may raise rent at lease renewal by any amount with one month's advance written notice for month-to-month tenancies. Military tenants may have additional lease protections under the federal SCRA.
Texas Property Code protections apply in Harker Heights:
Texas sets no cap on security deposits. In Harker Heights, landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Bad-faith withholding entitles you to 3 times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the 30-day clock.
In Harker Heights, landlords must serve written notice before filing for eviction. For nonpayment, a 3-day notice to vacate is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For non-renewal of a month-to-month lease, one month's notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). After the notice period, the landlord files in Bell County Justice of the Peace Court. Self-help eviction is illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 — only the constable can enforce a formal eviction after a court order.
No. Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 prohibits local rent control throughout Texas. Landlords in Harker Heights may raise rent at renewal by any amount with one month's advance written notice for month-to-month tenancies.
There is no cap. Texas has no statewide rent control. Your landlord must give one month's written notice before any increase takes effect on a month-to-month lease. Military tenants may have additional SCRA protections.
Within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Bad-faith withholding entitles you to 3 times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees and court costs.
For nonpayment, a 3-day notice to vacate (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month non-renewal, one month's notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Then the landlord must file in Bell County Justice of the Peace Court.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. A landlord who locks you out or cuts utilities without a court order faces liability for actual damages plus one month's rent. Contact Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at trla.org.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056, after two written repair requests you may repair-and-deduct up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent for health or safety repairs. You may also seek lease termination. Contact Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org for guidance.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change; consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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