Last updated: April 2026
Pasadena renters in Harris County are governed by the Texas Property Code — no rent control exists in Texas, but clear rules on deposits, repairs, and eviction apply to every rental.
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Pasadena is a city in Harris County, adjacent to Houston and home to a large working-class renter population. Tenant rights in Pasadena are governed entirely by the Texas Property Code — there are no local landlord-tenant ordinances. Texas prohibits rent control statewide (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902), but provides important protections on security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and eviction procedures.
Pasadena has no rent control. Texas state law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper notice. For month-to-month tenancies, at least one month's written notice is required before a rent increase or lease termination (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
Texas law provides the following key protections for Pasadena tenants:
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103, your Pasadena landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address, with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Texas does not cap the deposit amount. If the landlord wrongfully withholds the deposit in bad faith, you can sue for three times the amount withheld plus $100 and attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Deductions for normal wear and tear are not allowed.
To evict a tenant in Pasadena, a landlord must serve written notice to vacate — at least 3 days for nonpayment of rent — and then file a forcible detainer lawsuit in Harris County Justice Court if the tenant remains. The tenant has the right to appear and contest the eviction. Only after a court judgment and a writ of possession may a constable remove the tenant. Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or property removal — is prohibited under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081.
No. Pasadena has no rent control, and Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits cities from enacting it. There are no limits on how much a landlord can raise your rent.
There is no cap on rent increases in Pasadena. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must provide at least one month's written notice before a rent increase or termination (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Check your lease for specific notice terms.
Your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address, with an itemized written statement of deductions (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Bad-faith withholding can result in 3× the deposit plus attorney fees.
At least 3 days' written notice to vacate is required for nonpayment of rent before the landlord can file in Justice Court. For month-to-month tenancies, at least one month's notice is required to terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The landlord must obtain a court order before you can be removed.
No. Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081) prohibits landlords from locking you out or cutting utilities to force you out without a court order. Doing so is illegal and may entitle you to civil damages.
Submit your repair request in writing. If the landlord fails to fix conditions materially affecting health or safety within a reasonable time, you may repair-and-deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or sue for damages (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056). Contact Pasadena's code enforcement or Lone Star Legal Aid for help.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Pasadena and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
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