habitability protected.
Landlords must repair conditions that materially affect health or safety. After proper written notice and a reasonable time, you may repair and deduct up to the greater of one month's rent or $500.
What this means for you: Texas does not allow rent withholding, but it does provide a specific repair-and-deduct procedure with strict notice steps you must follow exactly.
Your next step: Send a dated written repair request (certified mail is wise in Texas). Follow the statutory steps precisely before deducting.
Source: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.052, 92.0561. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More Texas rights: Texas security deposit · Texas eviction · Texas entry notice · Texas rent increase.
Repairs in nearby states: New Mexico (habitability protected) · Oklahoma (habitability protected) · Louisiana (habitability protected) · Arkansas (limited habitability protection).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026