Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 94.001–94.303 § 94.251
RETALIATION BY LANDLORD.
Operative Text
Sec. 94.251. 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 the lease agreement, a municipal ordinance, or a federal or state statute;(2) gives the landlord a notice to repair or exercise a remedy under this chapter; or(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.(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 Subchapter E;(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;(5) terminating the tenant's lease agreement; or(6) engaging, in bad faith, in a course of conduct that materially interferes with the tenant's rights under the tenant's lease agreement. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 801, Sec. 1, eff. April 1, 2002.
Texas Property Code § 94.251 prohibits landlords from taking adverse actions against tenants in response to certain protected activities. Specifically, within six months of a tenant exercising a legal right, requesting repairs, or filing a complaint with a government agency about housing or utility issues, a landlord is barred from evicting, reducing services, raising rent, terminating the lease, or otherwise interfering with the tenant's rights in bad faith. The provision applies when the tenant acts in good faith and reasonably believes any complaint they raise is valid.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 94.251, property owners and managers operating manufactured home communities in Texas are expected to avoid any adverse action—such as filing eviction proceedings, raising rent, cutting services, or terminating a lease—within six months of a tenant exercising a legal right or submitting a repair request or housing complaint. Compliant operators generally document the independent, non-retaliatory business reasons behind any rent increases, lease terminations, or service changes that occur near the time of a tenant's protected activity. Maintaining clear, contemporaneous records of operational decisions helps demonstrate that actions were taken for legitimate reasons unrelated to the tenant's protected conduct.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 94.251 of the Texas Property Code gives tenants in manufactured home communities protection against landlord retaliation for up to six months after they exercise a legal right, request repairs, or report a housing or utility problem to a government agency. If a landlord takes an adverse action—such as filing for eviction, raising rent, or reducing services—within that window, a tenant may be able to raise the retaliation prohibition as a defense in court or as part of a separate legal claim. Tenants who believe they are experiencing retaliation may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a legal aid office, or the relevant municipal or state agency to understand the options available under § 94.251.
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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