Most tenants assume their landlord has told them everything they need to know. Texas law disagrees — there are specific disclosures your landlord is legally required to make. If they didn't, you may have rights you're not using.
Required Disclosures at a Glance
| Disclosure | Law | Type | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner & Agent Identity — name and address of property owner and manager | §92.201 | State | At lease signing or within 7 days of written request |
| Repair Rights Notice — tenant's right to request repairs under §92.056 | §92.056 | State | Required in standard residential lease |
| Late Fee Policy — amount, grace period must be in written lease | §92.019 | State | Must be in written lease to be enforceable |
| Parking Rules — parking rules and vehicle towing policy for multi-unit properties | §92.0131 | State | Before lease is signed (multi-unit only) |
| Move-Out Itemized List — written statement of any deductions from deposit | §92.104 | State | Within 30 days of tenant vacating |
| Lead Paint Disclosure — written disclosure + EPA pamphlet for pre-1978 housing | 42 U.S.C. §4852d | Federal | Before lease is signed (pre-1978 buildings only) |
Each Disclosure Explained
1. Owner & Agent Identity — §92.201
Your landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the property owner and, if different, the name and address of any property manager or management company. This information must be provided at the start of the tenancy or within 7 days of a written request from the tenant.
Why it matters: You can't send legal notices (like a repair demand or deposit demand letter) if you don't know who owns the property or where to send them. This disclosure also tells you who to name in a Justice Court lawsuit.
If they refuse: Under §92.201(d), if a landlord fails to provide this information after a written request, the tenant may terminate the lease.
📜 Tex. Prop. Code §92.2012. Repair Rights Notice — §92.056
Standard Texas residential leases are required to include a notice of the tenant's right to request repairs. This notice informs you that you have statutory remedies — including repair-and-deduct and lease termination — if the landlord fails to make repairs affecting health or safety.
If your lease is missing this notice, that doesn't eliminate your rights — it just means the landlord failed to include a required provision. Your rights under §92.056 exist regardless.
📜 Tex. Prop. Code §92.0563. Late Fee Policy — §92.019
A late fee is only enforceable if it is stated in the written lease. A landlord who charges a late fee that isn't in the lease — or who charges more than the statutory cap — has no legal basis to collect it.
The caps: 10% of one month's rent for properties with 4 or fewer units; 12% for 5 or more units. A 2-day grace period is required before any late fee can be charged. See our full late fees guide →
📜 Tex. Prop. Code §92.0194. Parking Rules — §92.0131
For multi-unit residential properties, landlords must provide written parking rules and vehicle towing policies before the lease is signed. This includes which vehicles may be towed, what circumstances permit towing, and the name/address of the towing company.
If the landlord did not provide parking rules before signing and later tows your vehicle, that may constitute a violation giving you a civil claim.
📜 Tex. Prop. Code §92.01315. Move-Out Itemized Deduction List — §92.104
After you move out, if your landlord deducts anything from your security deposit, they must provide a written itemized statement of those deductions within 30 days of you vacating. A vague statement ("cleaning fees") is not sufficient — each deduction should be described and itemized.
Failure to provide this within 30 days — combined with failure to return the deposit — creates a presumption of bad faith, triggering the §92.109 penalty of $100 + 3× the withheld amount + attorney's fees.
📜 Tex. Prop. Code §92.103–§92.1096. Lead Paint Disclosure — Federal Law (Pre-1978 Housing Only)
If your rental unit was built before 1978, federal law (42 U.S.C. §4852d) requires your landlord to:
- Disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the unit
- Provide you with an EPA-approved pamphlet: "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home"
- Include a lead paint disclosure clause in the lease
- Give you 10 days to conduct a lead paint inspection (you can waive this)
This is a federal requirement enforced by HUD and the EPA. Violations can result in civil fines. If your landlord skipped this for pre-1978 housing, you may have a federal claim.
What to Do If Your Landlord Didn't Provide Required Disclosures
- Request it in writing. Send your landlord a written request (email or certified letter) asking for the specific disclosure. For owner/agent identity (§92.201), state the 7-day statutory deadline. Keep a copy with date and time.
- Document non-compliance. If the deadline passes with no response, document it. Take a screenshot of sent emails, keep certified mail receipts. This is your evidence.
- Assess your remedy. For owner/agent identity failures: you may terminate the lease under §92.201(d). For late fee enforcement without a written lease provision: dispute the charge directly and in writing.
- Consult legal aid. If you want to exercise a termination right or pursue damages, contact Texas Law Help or a local legal aid organization for guidance before acting.