Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 301.001–301.171 § 301.171
INTIMIDATION OR INTERFERENCE.
Operative Text
Sec. 301.171. INTIMIDATION OR INTERFERENCE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person, without regard to whether the person is acting under color of law, by force or threat of force intentionally intimidates or interferes with a person:(1) because of the person's race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin and because the person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing, or occupation of any dwelling or applying for or participating in a service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or(2) because the person is or has been or to intimidate the person from:(A) participating, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin, in an activity, service, organization, or facility described by Subdivision (1); or(B) affording another person opportunity or protection to so participate; or(C) lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin, in an activity, service, organization, or facility described by Subdivision (1).(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 301.171, it is a criminal offense for any person to use force or the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with someone's housing-related activities—such as buying, selling, renting, or financing a dwelling—when that intimidation is motivated by the target's race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. The prohibition also covers intimidating people who help others participate in housing activities free from discrimination, or who encourage equal participation. A violation of § 301.171 is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Texas law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Tex. Prop. Code § 301.171 are expected to ensure that no force or threat of force is used—by themselves or anyone acting on their behalf—to discourage prospective or current tenants, buyers, or applicants from exercising housing rights based on protected characteristics. Compliant operators maintain clear policies against intimidation and take steps to ensure that staff, agents, and contractors understand that such conduct carries criminal liability. Because § 301.171 applies regardless of whether someone is acting under color of law, the standard extends to private individuals as well as those in official roles.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Prop. Code § 301.171 gives individuals the right to be free from force or threats of force designed to interfere with their ability to rent, buy, finance, or otherwise participate in housing activities because of their race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. If a tenant or applicant believes they have experienced such intimidation, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a local law enforcement agency, since a violation constitutes a Class A misdemeanor, or contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which enforces related federal fair housing protections. Tenant-rights organizations can also help individuals understand how § 301.171 interacts with other state and federal remedies.
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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