Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 92.001–92.355 § 92.003
LANDLORD'S AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Operative Text
Sec. 92.003. LANDLORD'S AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS. (a) In a lawsuit by a tenant under either a written or oral lease for a dwelling or in a suit to enforce a legal obligation of the owner as landlord of the dwelling, the owner's agent for service of process is determined according to this section.(b) If written notice of the name and business street address of the company that manages the dwelling has been given to the tenant, the management company is the owner's sole agent for service of process.(c) If Subsection (b) does not apply, the owner's management company, on-premise manager, or rent collector serving the dwelling is the owner's authorized agent for service of process unless the owner's name and business street address have been furnished in writing to the tenant. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3631, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.003, Texas law establishes a clear hierarchy for identifying who can be legally served on behalf of a residential landlord when a tenant files a lawsuit. If the tenant has received written notice of a management company's name and business street address, that company becomes the owner's sole agent for receiving legal process. If no such written notice was given, the management company, on-site manager, or rent collector may serve that role—unless the owner's own name and business address were provided to the tenant in writing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.003 means that property owners and managers have a defined responsibility to ensure tenants receive written notice of who manages the property, including a valid business street address. Operators who provide this information in writing establish the management company as the designated point of contact for any legal service of process, which can help create clarity in the event of litigation. Compliant operators typically include this disclosure in the lease agreement or in a separate written notice delivered at or before move-in.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.003, tenants who need to file a lawsuit against their landlord have a statutory framework for identifying the correct party to serve with legal process. If you received written notice of a management company's name and business address, that company is the proper agent to serve; if not, the on-site manager or rent collector may qualify. Tenants navigating a dispute can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this provision applies to their situation and how to properly initiate service.
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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