Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 24.001–24.011 § 24.00505
PETITION.
Operative Text
Sec. 24.00505. PETITION. To initiate an eviction suit, a sworn petition must be filed with the court. The petition must include the contents required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2026.
Section 24.00505 of the Texas Property Code establishes that an eviction lawsuit cannot begin without a sworn petition filed with the court. The petition must meet the content requirements set out in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, ensuring a baseline of procedural formality before any eviction case moves forward. This provision takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to eviction suits initiated on or after that date.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 24.00505, property owners and managers who need to initiate an eviction suit must file a sworn petition with the appropriate court before the case can proceed. Compliant operators generally ensure the petition is properly sworn and contains all content elements required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Consulting with a licensed Texas attorney familiar with eviction procedure can help ensure the filing meets these requirements from the outset.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Prop. Code § 24.00505 requires that any eviction suit against a tenant begin with a sworn petition filed in court that meets the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure's content standards. If a landlord attempts to pursue an eviction without following this procedural requirement, that deficiency may be relevant to how the case proceeds. Tenants facing eviction can contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this filing requirement may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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