Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 92.001–92.355 § 92.020
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER.
Operative Text
Sec. 92.020. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER. (a) A landlord that has an on-site management or superintendent's office for a residential rental property must provide to a tenant a telephone number that will be answered 24 hours a day for the purpose of reporting emergencies related to a condition of the leased premises that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.(b) The landlord must post the phone number required by Subsection (a) prominently outside the management or superintendent's office.(c) This section does not apply to or affect a local ordinance governing a landlord's obligation to provide a 24-hour emergency contact number to a tenant that is adopted before January 1, 2008, if the ordinance conforms with or is amended to conform with this section.(d) A landlord to whom Subsection (a) does not apply must provide to a tenant a telephone number for the purpose of reporting emergencies described by that subsection. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 917 (H.B. 3101), Sec. 4, eff. January 1, 2008.
Section 92.020 of the Texas Property Code requires residential landlords who operate an on-site management or superintendent's office to maintain a phone number that is answered around the clock for tenants to report emergencies that materially affect health or safety. That number must be posted visibly outside the management or superintendent's office. Landlords without an on-site office are still required to supply tenants with an emergency contact number for the same purpose, and the provision does not override local ordinances on this topic that were adopted before January 1, 2008, provided those ordinances align with the state rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 92.020, operators of residential rental properties with an on-site management or superintendent's office generally maintain a dedicated phone line that is staffed or answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for health-and-safety emergencies. Compliant operators post that number prominently outside the office so it is accessible at any hour. Landlords without an on-site office still satisfy § 92.020 by furnishing tenants with a reachable emergency contact number, typically documented in the lease or a written notice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 92.020 gives Texas residential tenants the right to receive an emergency phone number they can call at any time to report conditions that materially threaten physical health or safety. If your building has an on-site management or superintendent's office, that number should also be posted visibly outside the office; if it is not, that may constitute a violation of § 92.020. Tenants who believe this requirement is not being met can document the issue, contact a local tenant-rights organization for guidance, or explore whether a local ordinance provides additional 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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