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Pleasanton is a small city in Atascosa County in South Texas, roughly 40 miles south of San Antonio, and serves as the county seat. While smaller than major Texas metros, Pleasanton has a mix of renters who rely on the same statewide protections that govern landlord-tenant relationships throughout Texas. Renters here most commonly ask about rent increases, security deposit returns, repair obligations, and what happens when a landlord tries to end a tenancy.
Texas provides meaningful baseline protections for tenants on security deposits, habitability, notice requirements, and retaliation — all enforced through the Texas Property Code. Pleasanton has not enacted any additional local tenant protections beyond what state law requires, so understanding state law is essential for every renter in the city.
This page is intended as an informational overview of the laws that apply to Pleasanton renters. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual situations vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Pleasanton has no rent control, and Texas law prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, no municipality or political subdivision in Texas may adopt or enforce a rent control ordinance — except in the narrow case of a declared local disaster, and only with the governor's approval. That exception is rarely invoked and does not apply to Pleasanton under normal circumstances.
In practice, this means your landlord in Pleasanton can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance written notice. There is no cap on how much rent can increase, no requirement to justify the reason for an increase, and no local board or agency to appeal to. The only practical constraints are the notice requirements under state law and whatever your lease agreement says.
Renters should carefully review any lease renewal notice and understand that once a lease expires, landlords are free to set new rental rates at market rates without restriction.
Texas law under the Texas Property Code provides several important protections for Pleasanton renters:
Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.111): Landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days after you vacate, accompanied by a written itemized list of any deductions. If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Habitability & Repairs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords are required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant. To trigger this duty, you must give your landlord written notice of the needed repair. If the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time (generally 7 days for urgent issues), you may have the right to repair-and-deduct — up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent — or to terminate the lease, depending on the circumstances.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): Either a landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving at least one month's written notice before the end of the monthly period. Your lease may require a longer notice period, so always check your agreement.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord cannot retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, reporting code violations, contacting a housing inspector, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, threatening eviction, or filing an eviction suit within six months of a protected activity. If a landlord retaliates, you may be entitled to a month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.333).
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): A landlord cannot lock you out of your unit, remove exterior doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force you out without going through the court eviction process. Doing so is a self-help eviction and is illegal in Texas. If this happens, you have the right to immediate access to your unit and may be entitled to damages.
Texas law governs security deposits for all Pleasanton rentals under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.111. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge for a security deposit in Texas — the amount is set by the lease agreement.
Return deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after you surrender possession of the dwelling (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Surrendering possession generally means returning the keys and vacating the unit.
Itemization requirement: If the landlord keeps any portion of the deposit, they must provide a written description and itemized list of deductions. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges permitted by the lease (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104).
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord retains your deposit in bad faith — without a written itemization or without a legitimate basis — you may sue and recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Note: you must provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing; failure to do so can limit your ability to collect.
Keep a copy of your move-in inspection report, take dated photos when you move out, and send your forwarding address to the landlord in writing to protect your rights.
Evictions in Pleasanton are governed by the Texas Property Code (Ch. 24) and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Texas does not require just cause for eviction — a landlord can choose not to renew a lease for any non-discriminatory reason — but the landlord must follow the legally required process.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, a landlord must give a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the minimum notice is 3 days unless the lease specifies a shorter or longer period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For other lease violations or termination of a month-to-month tenancy, the notice period is typically 30 days or as stated in the lease.
Step 2 — Filing a Forcible Detainer Suit: If you do not vacate by the deadline in the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible detainer) suit in the Atascosa County Justice of the Peace Court. A hearing is typically scheduled within 10–21 days after filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered. You have 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law (Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.9).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If you do not appeal or vacate after judgment, the landlord can request a writ of possession, which authorizes a constable to remove you and your belongings from the property.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your doors, or shut off your utilities to force you out without completing the court process (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081). If a landlord does this, you can seek an emergency court order for reentry and may be entitled to damages.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The tenant rights information on this page reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but statutes and local ordinances can change. Every rental situation is unique, and this page cannot address the specific facts of your case. If you have a legal dispute with your landlord or need guidance on your rights, please consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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