Deposit return deadline · Texas
Texas: return the deposit within 30 days
In Texas, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit — or account for what's being kept — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises. The rule is Texas Property Code § 92.103.
Deducting? The paperwork rules
An itemized list of deductions is required unless the tenant owes rent with no dispute about the amount. The clock starts once the tenant provides a forwarding address.
The clean way to do this is a written letter with the deduction list and the ledger behind it — the deposit return letter template produces one, and a current rent ledger is the difference between documenting and reconstructing.
What missing the deadline costs
A landlord who retains a deposit in bad faith can owe $100 plus three times the wrongfully withheld amount, plus the tenant's attorney's fees.
No forwarding address, no deadline — but the obligation doesn't disappear; it waits.
Never discover this deadline late
The return clock starts the day the tenancy ends — which means it's knowable weeks in advance. A free RentChime account tracks your lease dates and emails you before deadlines like this one arrive.
Not legal advice. This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. The statute linked above is the authority; cities can add stricter rules, and laws change. If a deposit is disputed, talk to a local attorney.
Common questions
When does the 30-day clock start?
Generally when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out — and in Texas, once the tenant gives a forwarding address. The statute linked above defines the trigger precisely.
Can I deduct for normal wear and tear?
No state allows deductions for ordinary wear and tear — deductions are for damage beyond it, unpaid rent, and other charges the lease and statute allow, itemized in writing.
What if I miss the deadline in good faith?
Penalties generally attach to bad-faith withholding, but missing the deadline can forfeit your right to keep any of the deposit even without bad faith. The safe play is the letter, itemized, on time.