Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 24.001–24.011 § 24.008
EFFECT ON OTHER ACTIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 24.008. EFFECT ON OTHER ACTIONS. An eviction suit does not bar a suit for trespass, damages, waste, rent, or mesne profits. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3516, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 891, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1985; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1205, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Under Texas Property Code § 24.008, filing or resolving an eviction lawsuit does not prevent either party from pursuing separate civil claims related to the same tenancy. Claims such as trespass, property damage, waste, unpaid rent, or mesne profits (the value of a property's use during a period of wrongful occupation) remain available as independent legal actions. In other words, the eviction proceeding and these other civil remedies are treated as legally distinct and can coexist.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Texas Property Code § 24.008 means that property owners and managers are not limited to the eviction process when seeking to recover losses connected to a tenancy. A compliant operator typically documents property damage, unpaid rent, and any unauthorized occupation separately from the eviction case, preserving the ability to pursue those claims in a subsequent or parallel civil suit. Keeping thorough records of lease violations, rent ledgers, and property condition reports supports any such follow-on actions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 24.008 of the Texas Property Code works in both directions — just as a landlord retains the right to sue for damages after an eviction, a tenant also retains the right to bring independent civil claims that may arise from the same rental relationship. If a tenant believes they have been wrongfully evicted or that the landlord caused harm separate from the eviction proceeding itself, that eviction case does not extinguish those potential claims. Tenants seeking to understand their options may consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Texas property law.
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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