Texas Lease Agreement

The Texas lease agreement is structured into three distinct sections to streamline the leasing process and ensure legal compliance.

Customized Information

This section is where you, as the landlord, can input specific details about yourself, your tenants, the rental property, and the particulars of your lease agreement. The lease creation process in TurboTenant allows you to add this information seamlessly. In the final lease document, these details will be summarized in a table at the beginning for easy reference, with further elaboration throughout Section 1 on points such as smoking policies, utilities, keys, and more.

Key Elements in Section 1:

• Additional Provisions: This space is reserved for you to include any rules specific to your property, necessary local clauses, or other particular conditions you wish to enforce. Legal review of these additional provisions is recommended for compliance.
• Lost Key: Tenants are obliged to bear the full cost of rekeying the property if they fail to return all keys upon moving out.
• Parking: Any parking regulations specific to the property can be outlined in this section.

Texas-Specific Clauses

Section 2 is tailored to reflect the legal requirements of Texas. The clauses in this section are designed to help you stay within the bounds of Texas law, and are not editable to ensure compliance.

Highlighted Clauses in Section 2:

• Late Fees (Section 2.1): Defines the timeline and amount for late fees on overdue rent.
• Security Deposits (Section 2.4): Stipulates the deadline for returning security deposits and the procedure for itemization of charges if any amount is withheld.
• Occupancy Limits and Guests (Section 2.5): Sets the rules for occupancy and guest visits.
• Notification of Repairs (Section 2.7): Outlines the tenants’ responsibilities for repairs due to misuse or negligence and the requirement for prompt reporting of serious property issues.
• Notifying of Absences (Section 2.9): Tenants must inform the landlord of extended absences, allowing the landlord to inspect the property during such periods.
• Changing Locks (Section 2.12): Tenants must request in writing and pay for any changes to locks or security devices, which the landlord will install.
• Flood Plain Disclosure (Section 2.16): Requires landlords to disclose if the property is in a known flood plain and its flood history.

General Provisions

The clauses in Section 3 are standard across the United States and have been formulated with the input of experienced landlords to ensure best practices in the landlord-tenant relationship.

Select Clauses in Section 3:

• Subletting (Section 3.1): Prohibits subleasing without the landlord’s written consent.
• Altering or Improving the Property (Section 3.2): Requires the landlord’s written consent for any property alterations or improvements by the tenant.
• Following the Law (Section 3.14): Tenants must adhere to all laws and ordinances and avoid being a nuisance to neighbors, with violations constituting grounds for lease termination.

FAQ

Texas Resources

• Texas Landlord Tenant Law
• Texas Rental Applications
• How to Be a Landlord in Texas