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Seabrook is a small coastal city in Harris County, situated along Galveston Bay near the NASA Johnson Space Center corridor. With a mix of waterfront properties, suburban neighborhoods, and a notable share of renters, Seabrook residents are subject to Texas state tenant law — the primary framework governing landlord-tenant relationships throughout the state.
Renters in Seabrook most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs, and the steps a landlord must follow before an eviction can occur. Because Seabrook has not enacted any local housing ordinances beyond what state law requires, the Texas Property Code is the definitive source of renter protections for residents here.
This page provides a plain-language summary of tenant rights applicable in Seabrook, Texas. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney or a local legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Seabrook, Texas — and no Texas city is permitted to enact it. Texas law explicitly prohibits any municipality or county from adopting a rent control ordinance. The preempting statute, Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, states that a political subdivision may not adopt rent control or any measure that limits the amount a landlord may charge for rent, except in declared states of disaster as authorized by the Governor under Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Seabrook can raise your rent by any amount — there is no cap, no required justification, and no limit on frequency — as long as proper advance notice is given. For month-to-month tenants, that notice must be at least one month in writing (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). For fixed-term leases, rent can only change at renewal unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Renters should carefully review any lease before signing and understand that once a fixed term expires, a landlord in Seabrook is free to set a new rental rate at renewal without restriction under state or local law.
Although Seabrook has no local tenant ordinances, Texas state law provides several important protections that apply to every renter in the city.
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 strictly governs how and when it must be returned. Landlords must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises. A landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit in bad faith may owe the tenant three times the deposit amount plus reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Repairs & Habitability (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords in Texas are legally required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant. To trigger this duty, the tenant must deliver written notice of the needed repair, be current on rent, and allow a reasonable time for the landlord to fix the problem. If the landlord fails to act, the tenant may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or pursue legal action.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): Either a landlord or a tenant may terminate a month-to-month lease by giving at least one month's written notice before the next rental period begins. This protection ensures tenants are not abruptly removed without adequate time to find alternative housing.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, filing a fair housing complaint, or contacting a code enforcement or housing inspector. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, eviction threats, and lease non-renewals taken within six months of a protected activity. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover one month's rent plus $500, attorney's fees, and actual damages.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot change the locks, remove exterior doors or windows, or intentionally shut off utilities to force a tenant out without a valid court order. Violations entitle the tenant to recover possession, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees, and actual damages.
Texas law governs security deposits for all Seabrook rentals under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101 through 92.109. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect, so the deposit amount is determined by what the lease specifies.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession of the dwelling (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Along with any refund, the landlord must provide a written, itemized list of all deductions.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges permitted by the lease. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord acts in bad faith by retaining a deposit without providing an itemized statement, or by making improper deductions, the tenant may sue for three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). To protect your right to recover the full deposit, provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing before or at move-out.
Evictions in Seabrook follow the Texas statutory eviction process governed by Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24 (the Forcible Entry and Detainer statute) and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. A landlord must follow each step in order — any shortcut can invalidate the proceeding.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to vacate. For non-payment of rent, the minimum notice period is 3 days unless the lease specifies a longer period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For lease violations or holdover tenants, the notice period depends on the lease terms or, for month-to-month tenancies, one month's notice under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001. Notice may be delivered in person, by mail, or by posting on the inside of the main entry door.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice Court: If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline, the landlord files an eviction (forcible detainer) lawsuit in the Justice of the Peace court for Harris County Precinct 8 (which covers Seabrook). The tenant will receive a citation with the hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The hearing is typically scheduled within 10–21 days of filing. Both parties may present evidence and testimony. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: After judgment, the tenant has at least 5 days to appeal or vacate voluntarily. If the tenant remains, the landlord may request a writ of possession authorizing a constable to remove the tenant (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.0061).
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: At no point may a landlord in Seabrook change locks, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out without completing the court process. Doing so violates Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081, and the tenant may recover possession plus one month's rent, $1,000, attorney's fees, and actual damages.
No Just Cause Requirement: Texas does not require a landlord to provide a reason for non-renewal of a lease or termination of a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. However, evictions motivated by a tenant's exercise of legal rights may constitute illegal retaliation under 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 can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. For advice about your specific circumstances, consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Harris County. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances directly, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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