Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 92.001–92.355 § 92.331
RETALIATION BY LANDLORD.
Operative Text
Sec. 92.331. RETALIATION BY LANDLORD. (a) A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by taking an action described by Subsection (b) because the tenant:(1) in good faith exercises or attempts to exercise against a landlord a right or remedy granted to the tenant by lease, municipal ordinance, or federal or state statute;(2) gives a landlord a notice to repair or exercise a remedy under this chapter;(3) complains to a governmental entity responsible for enforcing building or housing codes, a public utility, or a civic or nonprofit agency, and the tenant:(A) claims a building or housing code violation or utility problem; and(B) believes in good faith that the complaint is valid and that the violation or problem occurred; or(4) establishes, attempts to establish, or participates in a tenant organization.(b) A landlord may not, within six months after the date of the tenant's action under Subsection (a), retaliate against the tenant by:(1) filing an eviction proceeding, except for the grounds stated by Section 92.332;(2) depriving the tenant of the use of the premises, except for reasons authorized by law;(3) decreasing services to the tenant;(4) increasing the tenant's rent or terminating the tenant's lease; or(5) engaging, in bad faith, in a course of conduct that materially interferes with the tenant's rights under the tenant's lease. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3637, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 650, Sec. 9, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 48, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Redesignated from Property Code Sec. 92.057(a) and amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 869, Sec. 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 588 (S.B. 630), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2014.
Texas Property Code § 92.331 prohibits landlords from taking certain adverse actions against a tenant within six months of the tenant exercising a legal right, requesting repairs, filing a complaint with a government agency about housing or utility conditions, or participating in a tenant organization. The prohibited retaliatory actions include initiating eviction proceedings, cutting off access to the premises, reducing services, raising rent, terminating a lease, or engaging in bad-faith conduct that materially interferes with the tenant's lease rights. The law applies when the tenant acted in good faith, and it does not prevent evictions or other actions taken for legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons recognized under § 92.332 or other applicable law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331, compliant property operators are careful to ensure that any rent increase, lease termination, eviction filing, service change, or other significant action taken within six months of a tenant's repair request, housing complaint, or exercise of a legal right is grounded in documented, legitimate business or legal reasons unrelated to the tenant's protected activity. Operators generally maintain records—such as maintenance logs, payment histories, and written communications—that can demonstrate the independent basis for any adverse action. Familiarity with the exceptions outlined in § 92.332 helps operators distinguish permissible actions from those that could be characterized as retaliatory.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331 gives tenants protection against landlord actions—such as eviction filings, rent hikes, service reductions, or lease terminations—that occur within six months of the tenant exercising a legal right, requesting repairs, reporting a housing code or utility problem to a government agency, or joining a tenant organization. If a tenant believes a landlord has taken one of these adverse actions in retaliation, that belief may serve as a defense in an eviction proceeding or as the basis for a separate legal claim under Texas law. Tenants who want to understand their options under § 92.331 may consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, a legal aid office, or the relevant municipal or county housing authority for general information.
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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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation