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Rent Control Laws in Texas

Texas has no statewide rent cap, and cities may adopt rent control only during a disaster-related housing emergency with the governor's approval.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Texas at a glance

Statewide rent cap
No
No state statute capping private residential rent was found.
Local rent control banned
Yes, except in a declared disaster
A city may adopt rent control only if it finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance.
Local rent control
None outside a governor-approved disaster emergency

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Texas

Does Texas have a statewide rent cap?

No. Statewide rent cap in Texas: no. No state statute capping private residential rent was found.

Does Texas law ban cities from adopting rent control?

Yes, except in a declared disaster. Local rent control banned in Texas: yes, except in a declared disaster. A city may adopt rent control only if it finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance.

Which cities in Texas have rent control?

Local rent control in Texas: None outside a governor-approved disaster emergency.

Where do the Texas rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Tex. Loc. Gov't Code 214.902. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.

Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.

Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.