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Universal City is a mid-sized suburban city in Bexar County, Texas, situated northeast of San Antonio and adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base. The city's rental market reflects its blend of military families, long-term residents, and commuters to the broader San Antonio metro area. Like all Texas cities, Universal City renters are governed exclusively by state law when it comes to tenant rights — there are no additional local ordinances in place.
The questions Universal City renters most commonly ask involve how much a landlord can raise the rent, how quickly a security deposit must be returned, and what steps a landlord must follow before an eviction. Texas law provides clear answers to each of these questions, and understanding those rules is the first step toward protecting yourself as a renter.
This guide summarizes the tenant protections that apply to renters in Universal City under the Texas Property Code. It is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, please consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Universal City has no rent control, and no Texas city is permitted to enact it. Texas state law explicitly prohibits municipalities and counties from adopting any ordinance, rule, or regulation that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential rental property. This prohibition is codified at Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902, which reads in part that a municipality may not adopt rent control. The same prohibition applies to counties under Tex. Gov't Code § 214.902.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Universal City is free to raise your rent by any amount at any time — as long as they provide proper advance written notice before the increase takes effect. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of a rent increase under Texas law. If you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be raised until the lease term ends unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases. Once the lease expires or you are renting month-to-month, a landlord must give at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
Because there is no rent stabilization protection in Texas, the most effective tool renters have against large rent increases is negotiating lease terms in advance, understanding notice requirements, and knowing when a rent increase might be retaliatory — which is separately prohibited by state law (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
Although Universal City has no local tenant ordinances, Texas state law provides several meaningful protections for renters throughout the state, including residents of Universal City and Bexar County.
Security Deposits (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109): Landlords must return your security deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days of you surrendering the property. If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit in bad faith, they can be held liable for three times the withheld amount, plus the tenant's attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Texas does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit.
Habitability & Repairs (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 your landlord written notice of the needed repair, be current on rent, and allow a reasonable time for the repair to be made (generally interpreted as 7 days for urgent issues). If the landlord fails to act, you may have the right to terminate the lease, pursue a rent reduction, or use the repair-and-deduct remedy — which allows you to hire a repair person and deduct the cost from rent, up to the lesser of $500 or one month's rent (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0561).
Notice to Terminate (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least one month's written notice before terminating the rental agreement. For fixed-term leases, the lease end date itself typically serves as notice unless the lease requires a separate written notice to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331): A landlord cannot retaliate against you for exercising a legal right — such as requesting repairs in good faith, contacting a code enforcement or housing inspector, complaining to a government agency, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or filing a retaliatory eviction. If retaliation occurs within 6 months of a protected action, Texas law presumes it is retaliatory (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.332). Tenants who suffer retaliation may recover one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
Lockouts & Utility Shutoffs (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081): Self-help eviction is illegal in Texas. A landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, or intentionally interrupt utilities such as water, electricity, or gas in order to force a tenant out without a court order. If your landlord illegally locks you out, you may recover actual damages, one month's rent or $500 (whichever is greater), reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs.
Texas law governs security deposits for all rental properties in Universal City. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — the amount is set by the lease agreement. However, once you move out, strict rules apply to how and when the deposit must be returned.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days of the date you surrender the dwelling (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Surrendering the dwelling means returning the keys, vacating the unit, and notifying the landlord you have moved out.
Itemized Statement Required: If the landlord makes any deductions, they must provide a written, itemized description of each deduction along with the remaining deposit balance. This statement must be sent to your forwarding address within the same 30-day window (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.104). Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges specifically authorized by the lease.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord withholds your deposit in bad faith — meaning they fail to return it or fail to provide a proper itemized statement without a valid reason — they can be held liable for three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). Courts may also award the tenant $100 in additional damages. To protect your rights, always provide a written forwarding address when you move out, document the condition of the unit with photos or video, and send your move-out notice in writing.
In Universal City, evictions are governed by Texas state law (Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24 and Tex. Rules of Civil Procedure). A landlord must follow specific legal steps to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts, and self-help eviction is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice to Vacate: Before filing anything in court, a landlord must give the tenant a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, this notice period is at least 3 days unless the lease specifies a different period (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month tenancies being terminated without cause, the landlord must provide at least one month's written notice (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). The notice may be delivered in person, posted on the inside of the main entry door, or sent by certified mail.
Step 2 — Filing a Forcible Detainer Suit: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (called a forcible detainer action) in the Justice of the Peace Court for Bexar County Precinct 3 or the applicable precinct. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10 to 21 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case at the hearing. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, they issue a judgment for possession. The tenant then has 5 days to appeal to the County Court at Law (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.007).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If no appeal is filed and the tenant remains in the unit, the landlord may request a writ of possession from the court. A constable will then execute the writ and oversee the removal of the tenant's belongings. Only a constable or sheriff may enforce a writ of possession — the landlord cannot do this themselves.
No Just Cause Requirement: Texas does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to terminate a tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. However, an eviction filed in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right is prohibited under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord in Universal City cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, shut off your utilities, or physically remove you from the unit without a court order. Doing so is a violation of Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081 and exposes the landlord to significant civil liability, including one month's rent or $500 (whichever is greater), actual damages, and attorney's fees.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and local court interpretations may vary. The content on this page reflects our understanding of Texas law as of April 2026 but may not reflect the most recent legislative or regulatory changes. If you have a specific legal issue or dispute with your landlord, you should consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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