Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 92.001–92.355 § 92.015
TENANT'S RIGHT TO SUMMON POLICE OR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
Operative Text
Sec. 92.015. TENANT'S RIGHT TO SUMMON POLICE OR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. (a) A landlord may not:(1) prohibit or limit a residential tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual is in need of intervention or emergency assistance; or(2) impose monetary or other penalties on a tenant who summons police or emergency assistance if the assistance was requested or dispatched based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual was in need of intervention or emergency assistance.(b) A provision in a lease is void if the provision purports to:(1) waive a tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual is in need of intervention or emergency assistance; or(2) exempt any party from a liability or a duty under this section.(c) In addition to other remedies provided by law, if a landlord violates this section, a tenant is entitled to recover from or against the landlord:(1) a civil penalty in an amount equal to one month's rent;(2) actual damages suffered by the tenant as a result of the landlord's violation of this section;(3) court costs;(4) injunctive relief; and(5) reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the tenant in seeking enforcement of this section.(d) For purposes of this section, if a tenant's rent is subsidized in whole or in part by a governmental entity, "one month's rent" means one month's fair market rent.(e) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 794, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Texas Property Code § 92.015 protects the right of residential tenants to call police or other emergency services whenever they reasonably believe someone needs help or intervention. Landlords are barred from restricting this right through lease terms, house rules, or financial penalties, and any lease clause that attempts to waive or limit this right is automatically void. A tenant who is penalized for making such a call may seek a civil penalty equal to one month's rent, actual damages, court costs, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.015, compliant property owners and managers ensure that no lease clause, addendum, or policy document restricts a tenant's ability to contact police or emergency services in a situation where the tenant reasonably believes intervention is needed. Operators also refrain from issuing fines, lease violations, or other penalties against tenants who have made such calls. Because any lease provision that conflicts with this section is void by operation of law, periodic review of lease templates to remove any such language is a standard practice for compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 92.015 of the Texas Property Code gives you the right to call police or emergency services whenever you reasonably believe someone needs help, and your landlord cannot punish you—financially or otherwise—for doing so. If a landlord imposes a fine, threatens eviction, or otherwise retaliates against you for summoning emergency assistance, the law entitles you to pursue a civil penalty equal to one month's rent, your actual damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. Tenant-rights organizations in Texas can help you understand the general enforcement paths available, including filing a civil action in court or raising a violation of § 92.015 as a defense in any related proceeding.
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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