The Colony renters are protected by Texas state law covering security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and illegal lockouts — but there is no rent control anywhere in Texas.·Updated April 2026
✓
Key Takeaways
Find out whether The Colony or Texas allows rent control below.
Review how long a Texas landlord has to return your deposit and what happens if they don't.
Check the notice period your landlord must give before ending your lease in Texas.
Learn whether your tenancy in The Colony has just-cause eviction protections.
See whether The Colony has local rules that go beyond Texas tenant law.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (lanwt.org), Texas Law Help (texaslawhelp.org)
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in The Colony
The Colony is a city in Denton County in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, situated along the southern shore of Lewisville Lake. Like all Texas municipalities, The Colony has no local landlord-tenant ordinances — renters here are governed entirely by the Texas Property Code. State law provides meaningful protections around security deposits, habitability repairs, retaliation, and illegal lockouts, even though no rent control exists anywhere in Texas.
Renters in The Colony most commonly ask about rent increase rules, deposit return timelines, repair obligations, and what happens when a landlord tries to evict without going through the courts. This guide covers each of those topics using the Texas Property Code as its primary source.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenants facing urgent housing issues should contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas or another qualified attorney.
2. Does The Colony Have Rent Control?
The Colony has no rent control, and Texas state law explicitly forbids any city or county from creating one (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902). Landlords in The Colony may raise rent by any amount at any time, provided they give proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenancies, that means at least one month's advance written notice. There are no caps, no percentage limits, and no requirement to justify the size of a rent increase under Texas law.
3. Texas State Tenant Protections That Apply in The Colony
Texas state law provides the following core protections for all renters in The Colony:
Security Deposit (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding can cost the landlord three times the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
Repairs & Habitability (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056): Landlords must fix conditions that materially affect health or safety within a reasonable time after written notice. If they fail to act, you may be able to repair-and-deduct (up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent) or terminate the lease.
Retaliation Protection (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord cannot raise rent, cut services, or pursue eviction in retaliation for requesting repairs, contacting a housing inspector, or exercising any other legal right.
Illegal Lockouts & Utility Shutoffs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force you to leave without a court order.
4. Security Deposit Rules in The Colony
Under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109, a landlord in The Colony may collect a security deposit in any amount but must return it — along with an itemized written list of deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. If the landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit without cause, the tenant may sue for three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees. Always document the unit's condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in The Colony
To evict a tenant in The Colony, a landlord must first serve a written notice to vacate — typically 3 days for nonpayment of rent — and then file an eviction suit in Denton County Justice of the Peace court if the tenant does not leave. Texas does not require just cause to end a month-to-month tenancy; landlords may give one month's written notice of non-renewal (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Tenants have the right to appear in court and contest the eviction. Self-help evictions — lockouts, utility shutoffs, removing doors — are illegal under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and expose the landlord to civil liability.
6. Resources for The Colony Tenants
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas — Free civil legal services for low-income residents of North Texas, including Denton County.
Texas Law Help — Free legal information and forms on Texas tenant rights, evictions, and deposit disputes.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in The Colony and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. The Colony has no rent control, and Texas state law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) prohibits any city or county from enacting rent caps. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper advance written notice.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in The Colony?
There is no legal limit on rent increases in The Colony. Texas has no rent control. For month-to-month leases, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice before a higher rent takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in The Colony?
30 days from the date you vacate, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If the landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue for three times the withheld amount plus attorney's fees under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in The Colony?
For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give at least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing an eviction suit. To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least one month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in The Colony?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove doors, or intentionally cut off utilities without a court order. Violations entitle you to sue for damages under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in The Colony?
Send a written repair request. If your landlord fails to fix conditions that materially affect health or safety within a reasonable time, you may be able to repair-and-deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent) or terminate the lease under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056. Contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for help.
Get notified when rent laws change in The Colony
We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.