Texas Rental Application Form

A Texas rental application is a document that landlords use to assess potential tenants before signing a lease. By submitting this application, prospective tenants provide essential information that lets landlords ensure the tenant’s suitability.

Laws

• Application Fee – Refundable.
• Fee Limits – No limits.
• Security Deposit – There is no limit on how much landlords can charge for a security deposit.

Application Fee

• No Limit: Texas law does not limit the amount landlords can charge for fees. Generally, most landlords charge between $15 and $30 and will not consider an application without the fee.
  • The landlord uses the fee for a background check and credit report.
  • Three times the refunded amount
  • An additional $100 sum
  • The prospective tenant’s attorney fees (if applicable)

  Fair Housing Protections

  Texas law provides the following fair housing protections: [3]

  • No Discrimination in Rentals: A landlord cannot refuse to rent a unit or negotiate a rental based on a tenant’s color, race, sex, religion, national origin, or familial status.
  • Equal Terms and Services: A landlord cannot discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of a rental or in providing related facilities or services based on the aforementioned characteristics.

  Exception

  A landlord isn’t prohibited from discriminating against a tenant if the tenant has been convicted of the illegal distribution or manufacturing of controlled substances under state or federal law.

  Security Deposit Limits

  • Maximum: Texas law does not limit the security deposit a landlord may request from a tenant.
  • Handling: Landlords don’t have to follow any specific requirements for keeping a security deposit in a separate account or ensuring it accrues interest.
  • Return: The landlord must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the property. [4]

  Pet Deposits

  Texas law doesn’t specifically mention pet deposits, but landlords should still be mindful of realistic expectations when setting the amounts.

  Sample

  

  Related Documents

  

  Texas Lease Agreement

  View Sources

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  1. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.351(e). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm#92.351:~:text=in%20bold%20print.-,(e),-If%20the%20landlord
  2. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.354. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm#92.354
  3. Tex. Prop. Code § 301.021. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.301.htm#301.021
  4. Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm#92.103

  

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