What Is a Texas Lease Agreement?
Renting a house or apartment in Texas usually comes down to one document: a signed lease between landlord and tenant. That paperwork covers the property itself, plus whatever rent and term the two sides settled on.
Most Texas residential lease agreement documents cover:
- The monthly rent amount and due date
- The length of the tenancy
- The security deposit amount
- Who handles utilities and repairs
- Rules on pets, guests, and subletting
Every agreement should spell these terms out clearly, since a vague lease creates disputes later.
Mandatory Landlord Disclosures for Texas Lease Agreements
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 sets out the disclosures you must make to residential tenants. The most important disclosure are outlined in the table below:
The flood disclosure rules generally do not apply to leases of less than 30 days. They may not apply to certain temporary residential tenancies connected with a property sale lasting no more than 90 days.
Some Texas cities add further requirements on top of these, so check the rules in your locality before signing the lease.
Types of Texas Lease Agreement
The type of Texas lease agreement you should choose depends on factors like the rental term and type of tenancy you want to create:
- Standard lease: Creates a fixed-term residential tenancy. This typically lasts for 12 months. Tennant and landlord can also agree to a different length of lease.
- Month-to-month lease: Continues on a monthly basis. Either party can terminate the tenancy.
- Rent-to-own lease: Combines a residential lease with terms that may allow the tenant to purchase the property later.
- Room rental agreement: Covers the rental of an individual room while usually allowing access to shared areas of the property.
- Sublease agreement: Allows an existing tenant to rent all or part of the property to another person.
- Commercial lease: Sets the terms for renting property used for commercial purposes, such as retail stores or office space.
Standard Lease Agreement in Texas
A standard lease agreement sets a fixed term, usually 12 months. For a shorter document, many landlords choose a simple Texas lease agreement tenants can review and sign in minutes.
When the term ends and both sides want to continue, they can use a lease renewal agreement or a lease extension agreement instead.
Create Your Texas Standard Lease Agreement
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement in Texas
A month-to-month lease agreement renews each month, until the landlord or tenant decides to end it.
Property Code §91.001 requires one month's written notice to end it. However, a lease can also set a different amount of necessary notice.
It's a popular pick when neither side wants to lock into a full year upfront.
Create Your Texas Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
Room Lease Agreement in Texas
A room lease agreement allows you to rent a single bedroom. The room is often inside a shared apartment or house with a communal kitchen and bathroom.
If you choose this type of agreement, you should put the house rules in writing too. Make sure to cover guest policies and quiet hours.
Create Your Texas Room Lease Agreement
Sublease Agreement in Texas
With a sublease agreement, the original tenant brings in someone new, a subtenant, to take over all or part of the unit. Texas law doesn't leave this to chance: "the tenant may not rent the leasehold to any other person without the prior consent of the landlord."
This rule applies under §91.005, even when the original lease doesn't mention subletting at all.
Tenants should always get written permission before bringing in a subtenant.
Create Your Texas Sublease Lease Agreement
Commercial Lease Agreement in Texas
A commercial lease works differently from a residential one. It’s used to rent property for business purposes, such as an office, shop, or warehouse. Property Code Chapter 92's tenant protections don't apply, so the contract itself carries far more weight.
Commercial lease ase agreements should outline the permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, and any build-out or signage rights in detail. Texas courts look to the document rather than statutory defaults.
Create Your Texas Commercial Lease Agreement
How to Write a Texas Lease Agreement
Ready to put one together? Start from Lumr’s blank lease agreement for Texas template, and follow the steps below to make your agreement in just a few minutes.
- 1
Identify the landlord and tenant
Start by entering the legal names and contact details for everyone signing the lease.
- 2
Describe the property
Add the full address, unit number, and any parking, storage, or furnished items included.
- 3
Set the lease term and rent
State the start date, end date or renewal terms, monthly rent, due date, and accepted payment methods.
- 4
Add the security deposit
Note the deposit amount and the conditions for getting it back at move-out.
- 5
Include required disclosures
Add the owner or manager's contact details, plus any flood or lead-paint disclosures that apply.
- 6
Review, sign, and store copies
Finally, check every detail, then have both parties sign. Keep the original somewhere safe and give a copy to your tenant.