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Leon Valley is a small, incorporated city entirely within Bexar County, bordered on multiple sides by San Antonio. With a population of roughly 12,000 residents, Leon Valley has a significant renter population that relies almost entirely on Texas state law for tenant protections — the city has not enacted any local housing ordinances that go beyond what the state provides.
Renters in Leon Valley most commonly search for information about security deposit returns, what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs, and how the eviction process works. Texas law provides meaningful protections on all of these fronts, even in the absence of local rules. Landlords must maintain habitable conditions, follow strict deposit return procedures, and use the court system — not self-help tactics — to remove a tenant.
This page is intended as a general informational resource to help Leon Valley renters understand their rights under Texas law. It is not legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, a dispute over your deposit, or habitability issues, consider reaching out to one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Leon Valley has no rent control, and Texas state law forbids it. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no city or county in Texas may enact or enforce a rent control ordinance. This preemption applies uniformly across the state — meaning that even if the Leon Valley City Council wanted to cap rent increases, it would be legally prohibited from doing so.
In practical terms, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any amount — there is no cap, no percentage limit, and no requirement to justify an increase. The only constraint is notice: for a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must provide at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in until the lease expires, at which point the landlord may offer a renewal at any price.
Renters in Leon Valley should carefully review lease renewal terms and budget for potential increases, particularly given the broader San Antonio metropolitan area's rising housing market. While rent control is off the table, tenants do retain strong protections on deposits, repairs, and retaliation as described below.
Texas law provides several important tenant protections that apply to every renter in Leon Valley. Below is a summary of the most significant rights.
Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Texas law does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit, but it does strictly regulate how and when the deposit must be returned. Landlords must return the deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant's move-out date. Wrongful withholding can result in the landlord owing the tenant three times the withheld amount plus attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Repairs & Habitability (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords in Leon Valley must make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant within a reasonable time after receiving written notice from the tenant. If the landlord fails to act, the tenant may be entitled to (1) repair the problem and deduct the cost from rent — up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent — or (2) terminate the lease, or (3) pursue other judicial remedies. Proper written notice to the landlord is essential before exercising these remedies.
Notice to Terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month rental agreements, either the landlord or the tenant must provide at least one month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. If a lease specifies a different notice period, that period controls as long as it is not less than what the parties agreed upon.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for in good faith exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, reporting code violations to a government agency, or participating in a tenants' organization. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, and eviction attempts. If a landlord retaliates within six months of a protected action, Texas law presumes the action was retaliatory (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.333).
Lockouts & Utility Shutoffs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove doors or windows, or intentionally cut off your utilities to force you to leave. If a landlord does lock you out without a court order, you have the right to immediate re-entry and may sue for actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Texas law governs security deposits for all Leon Valley rentals under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101 through 92.109. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge — the deposit is whatever the parties agree to in the lease.
Return deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — less any lawful deductions — within 30 days after you surrender possession of the unit (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Along with any remaining deposit funds, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement explaining each deduction. Normal wear and tear may not be deducted.
Forwarding address requirement: To protect your right to a timely refund, provide your landlord with a written forwarding address before or when you move out. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.107, a landlord is not obligated to return a deposit until the tenant has provided a forwarding address in writing. However, failure to provide an address does not forfeit your right to the deposit — it only delays the 30-day clock.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Courts may also find the landlord liable if they fail to provide an itemized deduction list within the 30-day period.
Evictions in Leon Valley follow the Texas eviction process established under Tex. Prop. Code Chapter 24 and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. A landlord must follow every required step — there are no shortcuts, and self-help eviction is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing anything in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the statutory minimum notice period is 3 days (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005), unless the lease specifies a longer period. For lease violations or holdover situations, a 3-day notice is also common, though lease terms may vary. For month-to-month tenancies terminated without cause, the landlord must give at least 1 month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
Step 2 — Filing a Forcible Entry & Detainer Suit: If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline in the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) suit in the appropriate Bexar County Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court). Leon Valley falls within the JP Court precincts for Bexar County. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10 to 21 days of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing & Judgment: Both parties may appear and present their case at the hearing. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant has 5 days to appeal the judgment to the Bexar County Court at Law (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.007).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not appeal and does not vacate voluntarily, the landlord may request a writ of possession, which authorizes a constable or sheriff to physically remove the tenant and their belongings. The writ cannot be executed until at least 6 days after the judgment is signed (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.12).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or removes the tenant's property without a court order commits an illegal self-help eviction. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081, the tenant may recover actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Just Cause: Texas does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or to decline to renew a fixed-term lease. However, a landlord may not evict a tenant in retaliation for protected activity (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Texas — including statutes cited on this page — can change, and their application depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you are dealing with an eviction, a deposit dispute, habitability problems, or any other legal matter, you should consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions.
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