Last updated: April 2026
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.
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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.
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.
Texas state law provides the following core protections for all renters 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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