Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Terrell is a growing city in Kaufman County, located roughly 30 miles east of Dallas along US-80. As the Dallas–Fort Worth metro continues to expand outward, Terrell has seen increased residential development and a rising renter population drawn by comparatively affordable housing. For many residents, understanding their rights as tenants is a pressing practical concern.
Because Terrell has no city-level tenant protection ordinances, all renter rights in Terrell flow directly from the Texas Property Code. This means the rules governing security deposits, repairs, retaliation, and eviction are the same statewide rules that apply across Texas. Renters here most commonly ask about deposit return deadlines, what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs, and what notice is required before an eviction.
This page summarizes the key protections available to Terrell renters under Texas state law, with specific statute citations so you can verify the law yourself. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you have a dispute with your landlord, consider consulting a licensed Texas attorney or a free legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Terrell, Texas — and no city in Texas can legally enact it. Texas state law expressly prohibits all cities, counties, and other local governments from adopting rent control ordinances. This preemption is codified at Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, which states that a municipality may not enact, enforce, or maintain a rent control ordinance or other similar regulation that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential housing.
In practice, this means your landlord in Terrell can raise your rent by any amount at any time — there is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no local board to appeal to. The only protection renters have is the notice requirement: for a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least one month's written notice before a rent increase or termination takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). If you are in a fixed-term lease, your landlord generally cannot raise your rent during the lease term unless the lease explicitly allows it.
Although Terrell has no local ordinances, Texas state law provides renters with several meaningful protections across key areas of the landlord-tenant relationship.
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 deposits must be returned. Landlords must return your deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days of you surrendering the property. Wrongfully withholding a deposit can expose the landlord to liability for three times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees.
Repairs & Habitability (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords are legally required to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of an ordinary tenant. To trigger this obligation, you must give written notice to your landlord. If the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time (generally 7 days for emergencies), you may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent), terminate the lease, or seek other judicial remedies.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must provide at least one month's written notice to terminate. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms; your landlord need not renew your lease when it ends.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): Your landlord cannot retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs, filing a complaint with a housing inspector, or joining a tenant organization. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, and eviction attempts. If retaliation occurs within six months of a protected act, it is presumed retaliatory under Texas law.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord may not change your locks, remove doors or windows, or interrupt utilities such as electricity, gas, or water to force you out of your home. The only lawful way to remove a tenant in Texas is through the court-supervised eviction process.
Texas law sets clear rules for security deposits, all found in Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord in Terrell may charge as a security deposit — that amount is negotiated in your lease.
Return Deadline: Once you surrender your rental unit (move out and return keys), your landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit. If the landlord makes any deductions, they must provide a written, itemized statement describing each deduction and the dollar amount. Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord fails to return your deposit — or wrongfully withholds any portion of it — in bad faith, the landlord can be held liable for three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus $100, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). To preserve your rights, document the condition of the unit at move-out (photos, video) and send your forwarding address in writing before you leave.
No Waiver: Any lease provision that attempts to waive these deposit protections is void under Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.105).
Evictions in Terrell follow the Texas eviction process governed by Tex. Prop. Code Chapter 24 and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Texas does not require a landlord to have just cause to end a tenancy — they only need to provide proper notice.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must give the tenant written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the minimum notice is 3 days unless the lease specifies a different period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month tenancies ending without cause, at least 1 month's notice is required (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Notice may be delivered in person, posted on the inside of the main entry door, or sent by mail.
Step 2 — Filing in Justice of the Peace Court: If the tenant does not vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible detainer) lawsuit in the Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Court for the precinct in which the property is located. A filing fee is required.
Step 3 — Hearing: A hearing is typically scheduled within 10–21 days of filing. Both parties may present evidence. Tenants have the right to appear and defend themselves.
Step 4 — Judgment & Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, the tenant has 5 days to appeal or vacate. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession, which authorizes a constable or sheriff to remove the tenant (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.0061).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who locks you out, removes your belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order violates Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081. You may be entitled to immediate injunctive relief and one month's rent plus $500 in damages if this occurs.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect how the law applies to you. Always verify current statutes and consult a licensed Texas attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action in any landlord-tenant dispute. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.