Dallas County renters are protected by Texas Property Code § 92 — the same statewide law that applies in every Texas county. Know your 30-day rule, your wear-and-tear rights, and exactly which JP Court precinct handles your case.
30 days
Return deadline
3× deposit
Bad faith penalty
10
JP precincts
~$134
Typical filing cost
Quick Reference
Landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out and surrender of the unit. The clock starts when you provide a forwarding address.
Any deductions must be accompanied by a written itemized list within 30 days. No list = no lawful deduction.
Landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, routine carpet wear. These are not damage.
Provide your forwarding address in writing. This starts the 30-day clock and is your proof the deadline has passed.
$100 + 3× the wrongfully withheld amount + attorney's fees if the landlord withholds in bad faith.
Dallas County Precinct Requirement
Dallas County has 10 JP precincts. You must file in the precinct where the rental property is located — not where you currently live. Filing in the wrong precinct can delay or dismiss your case.
Find Your Court
Dallas County has 10 JP precincts. You must file in the precinct where the rental property is located. Use the precinct finder tool to confirm your precinct.
Find Your Precinct Instantly
Enter your rental property address (not your current address) in the official Dallas County precinct finder.
Addresses verified April 2026. Confirm current locations at dallascounty.org/government/jpcourts/
Costs
Filing fees are modest compared to the potential recovery. If you win, filing and service costs can be included in the judgment.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee (Small Claims) | ~$54 |
| Constable Service Fee (per defendant) | ~$80 |
| Copy Fees (first page) | $1.00 |
| Copy Fees (each additional page) | $0.25 |
| Typical Starting Total | ~$134 |
Fee Waivers Available
If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver (Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs). Income-based eligibility applies.
Fees Are Recoverable
If you win your case, filing fees and constable service costs can be included in the judgment — meaning the landlord pays them, not you.
Verify Before Filing
Fees as of April 2026. Verify current amounts with the court before filing at dallascounty.org
E-Filing
You don't have to visit the courthouse in person. Dallas County JP Courts accept electronic filing through two state-supported platforms.
The official Texas e-filing portal. Create an account, upload your petition as a text-searchable PDF (8.5" × 11"), and file electronically.
Allow 3–5 business days for processing. Support: 1-855-839-3453.
Open eFile TexasA guided tool that walks you through completing your small claims petition step by step — no legal knowledge required. Recommended for first-time filers.
Free to use. Generates court-ready documents automatically.
Open Guide & FileE-Filing Requirements
Multi-County Alert
The DFW metro spans multiple counties. Some cities straddle county lines. Before filing in Dallas County JP Court, confirm your rental address is actually in Dallas County.
Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties
Verify your exact address before filing.
Mostly Dallas County, extends into Collin County
Most Richardson rentals are in Dallas County, but confirm.
Mostly Dallas County, extends into Tarrant and Ellis counties
Use the precinct finder to confirm your county.
Mostly Dallas County, small portions in Rockwall and Collin
Most Garland rentals are in Dallas County.
Dallas County
Irving is in Dallas County — file in Precinct 4.
Mostly Tarrant County, portions in Dallas and Denton
Most Grapevine rentals are in Tarrant County, not Dallas.
Use the Precinct Finder
Enter your rental address at dallascounty.org/government/jpcourts/what-precinct.php
Open Precinct FinderSearch DCAD
Look up your rental address in the Dallas County Appraisal District at dallascad.org
Open DCADCheck Your Lease
The county is often listed in the property address or jurisdiction clause of your lease.
How to File
Confirm your violations and estimate your recovery amount before spending anything.
Use the Dallas County precinct finder to confirm which of the 10 precincts covers your rental address.
Send a written demand citing the specific Texas statutes violated. Many landlords settle here.
Collect lease, move-in/out photos, itemized list (or proof it was never sent), communications, and payment records.
Use Guide & File (selfhelp.efiletexas.gov/srl) to complete your small claims petition. Include the full bad-faith penalty in your claim amount.
File in-person or via eFile Texas. Pay the ~$134 filing + service fee. The constable will serve the landlord.
Bring 3 copies of all evidence, organized chronologically. Dress professionally. Present your facts calmly. Most hearings last 15–30 minutes.
FAQ
Take Action
Start with the free audit. Know exactly where you stand before spending a dollar.
Content Integrity
DepositRights provides legal information and self-help tools, not legal advice. This page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Primary Statutes