Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County, located about 30 miles south of Dallas. Known for its Victorian architecture and growing population, Waxahachie renters are governed entirely by Texas state law, primarily the Texas Property Code (Tex. Prop. Code Title 8), which sets standards for security deposits, habitability, repair rights, retaliation protections, and the eviction process.
Texas state law expressly prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control ordinances (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902), and Waxahachie has not adopted any additional local landlord-tenant protections. Your rights as a renter are shaped entirely by state law.
This guide summarizes the key rules that apply to Waxahachie renters. It is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you face an eviction, deposit dispute, or habitability problem, contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (lanwt.org) as soon as possible.
Waxahachie has no rent control. Texas state law (Tex. Prop. Code § 214.902) explicitly prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. No Texas municipality may cap rent increases, and Waxahachie is no exception.
There are no limits on how much a landlord may raise your rent between lease terms. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must provide at least 1 month's written notice before raising rent or terminating the tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). Fixed-term leases cannot be altered until expiration.
Texas law provides the following key protections for Waxahachie renters:
Security Deposit Return: Landlords must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out along with an itemized written statement of any deductions (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103). Bad-faith withholding can cost the landlord 3× the deposit amount plus attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109).
Repairs and Habitability: Landlords must make repairs that materially affect health or safety within a reasonable time after written notice from the tenant (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.056). Remedies include repair-and-deduct (up to $500 or one month's rent) or lease termination.
Retaliation Protection: Landlords cannot raise rent, cut services, or attempt to evict you in retaliation for requesting repairs or exercising legal rights (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331).
Lockout and Utility Shutoff: Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove doors, or shut off utilities without a court order (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0081). Emergency lockout relief is available through the Justice of the Peace court.
Notice to Terminate: Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 1 month's written notice before the landlord may end the tenancy (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001).
Security deposit rules for Waxahachie renters are governed by Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.110.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your deposit — along with a written itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days of the date you vacate and provide a forwarding address. Give your forwarding address in writing when you return the keys.
Allowable Deductions: Deductions are permitted for unpaid rent and physical damage beyond normal wear and tear. Routine wear — small nail holes, light scuffs, faded paint — cannot be charged against your deposit. Document the unit's condition with dated photos at both move-in and move-out.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to 3 times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney fees (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109). File your claim in Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court.
Waxahachie landlords must follow Texas's formal eviction process. Self-help removal — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is prohibited.
Step 1 — Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to vacate. For nonpayment of rent, the default notice period is 3 days unless the lease specifies differently (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005). For month-to-month terminations, at least 1 month's notice is required.
Step 2 — Justice of the Peace Court: If you do not comply, the landlord files an eviction suit in the Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court. A hearing is typically scheduled within a few weeks.
Step 3 — Hearing: You have the right to appear and present defenses — including habitability violations, retaliation, improper notice, or rent payment. Contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (lanwt.org) before your hearing if you need help.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, you have 5 days to appeal to County Court. If no appeal is filed, a writ of possession is issued and executed by the constable.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Waxahachie and is not legal advice. Laws and local ordinances may have changed since publication. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney or contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (lanwt.org).
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