Huntsville is the county seat of Walker County, Texas, home to Sam Houston State University. There is no local rent control, and Texas state law provides baseline protections on security deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures.·Updated April 2026
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Key Takeaways
See whether Texas permits rent control in Huntsville below.
Learn Texas's security deposit return rules and the penalties landlords face for breaking them.
Find the notice periods Texas law requires before ending your tenancy.
See whether just-cause eviction protections apply to your tenancy in Huntsville.
Learn what local ordinances supplement Texas tenant law in Huntsville.
Lone Star Legal Aid (lonestarlegal.blog), Texas Law Help (texaslawhelp.org)
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Huntsville
Huntsville is a city of approximately 42,000 in Walker County, Texas, known as the home of Sam Houston State University and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice headquarters. Like all Texas cities, Huntsville has no local rent control — Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 prohibits local rent regulation statewide. Tenants in Huntsville are protected by the Texas Property Code, which governs security deposits, repairs, and eviction procedures.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Walker County and provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible tenants. Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org offers free statewide self-help legal resources.
2. Does Huntsville Have Rent Control?
Huntsville has no rent control. Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 explicitly prohibits Texas cities and counties from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords may raise rent at lease renewal by any amount, provided one month's written notice is given for month-to-month tenancies (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
3. Texas State Tenant Protections That Apply in Huntsville
Texas Property Code protections apply to Huntsville tenants:
Security deposit return: Within 30 days of move-out with itemized statement. Wrongful withholding without justification entitles you to 3 times the deposit plus attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Notice to terminate: One month's written notice for month-to-month tenancies (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For nonpayment, a 3-day notice to vacate is the first step (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005).
Repair and deduct: After two written repair requests, tenants may repair-and-deduct up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent for repairs affecting health or safety (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056).
Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot raise rent, cut services, or evict in retaliation for repair requests or housing inspector contacts (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
Lockout/utility prohibition: Self-help eviction is illegal; landlords face liability for lockouts or utility shutoffs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081).
4. Security Deposit Rules in Huntsville
Texas sets no cap on security deposits in Huntsville. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109, landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out along with a written itemized statement of deductions. If the landlord withholds the deposit in bad faith, you are entitled to 3 times the deposit amount plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the 30-day clock. Document the rental's condition with dated photographs at both move-in and move-out to protect against disputed deductions.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Huntsville
In Huntsville, landlords must serve written notice before filing for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, a 3-day notice to vacate is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month non-renewal, one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). After the notice period, the landlord files in Walker County Justice of the Peace Court and a hearing is scheduled.
Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings — is illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. The Walker County Constable enforces eviction orders only after a court judgment is issued.
6. Resources for Huntsville Tenants
Lone Star Legal Aid: Free civil legal help for income-eligible Walker County residents — lonestarlegal.blog
Texas Law Help: Free statewide self-help legal resources for tenants — texaslawhelp.org
Walker County Justice of the Peace Court: Eviction filings and landlord-tenant matters — contact the Walker County Courthouse in Huntsville.
Texas Attorney General – Landlord-Tenant Law: State overview of tenant rights — texasattorneygeneral.gov
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.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902 prohibits local rent control ordinances throughout Texas. Landlords in Huntsville may raise rent at renewal by any amount with one month's advance written notice for month-to-month tenancies.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Huntsville, TX?
There is no cap on rent increases in Huntsville. 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.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Huntsville, TX?
Within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized deduction statement (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Bad-faith withholding entitles you to 3 times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees and court costs.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Huntsville, TX?
For nonpayment of rent, a 3-day notice to vacate is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month non-renewal, one month's written notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The landlord then files in Walker County Justice of the Peace Court.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Huntsville, TX?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. A landlord who locks you out or shuts off utilities without a court order can be held liable for actual damages, one month's rent, attorney's fees, and court costs. Contact Lone Star Legal Aid at lonestarlegal.blog immediately.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Huntsville, TX?
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 repairs affecting health or safety. You may also seek lease termination. Contact Lone Star Legal Aid at lonestarlegal.blog or Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org for guidance.
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