Texas law is on your side. Your landlord has 30 days to return your deposit or explain what they kept. If they didn't — or if they charged you for normal wear and tear — you can recover your money plus penalties.
§ 92.103
30-day deadline
3× + $100
Bad faith penalty
No
Lawyer required?
Up to 6×
Recovery potential
Your Rights
30-Day Deadline
§ 92.103
Landlord has 30 days after you move out AND provide a forwarding address to return your deposit or send an itemized list.
Itemized List Required
§ 92.104
If they keep ANY of your money, they must provide a written breakdown of specific charges with dollar amounts.
Normal Wear Is Free
§ 92.001(4)
Foot traffic, nail holes, faded paint, minor scuffs — that's the cost of renting, not your bill.
Forwarding Address Trigger
§ 92.107
The 30-day clock starts when you give written notice of where to send your refund.
Bad Faith = Big Penalty
§ 92.109
$100 + 3× the wrongfully withheld amount + attorney fees if landlord violated the rules.
Potential Recovery
Your recovery depends on what your landlord did wrong. Here are four common scenarios.
| Scenario | Deposit Withheld | Bad Faith? | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial refund, no itemization | $800 | Yes — no itemized list | $3,300 |
| Missed 30-day deadline | $1,200 | Yes — deadline missed | $4,900 |
| Charged for normal wear | $500 | Depends on itemization | $500–$1,600+ |
| Returned nothing, no contact | $1,500 | Yes — ghosting | $6,100 |
Not sure which scenario applies to you? Run the Free Audit to see exactly what your landlord owes under Texas law.
Action Plan
Common Issues
Click any dispute to see what the law says and how to fight back.
Landlord charged you for carpet cleaning? That's almost always the landlord's cost, not yours.
Small nail holes and normal paint wear are NOT your responsibility.
It's been 30+ days and nothing? Your landlord may already owe you 3× what they withheld.
They kept your money but never explained why? That's a bad faith violation.
FAQ
Content Integrity
DepositRights provides legal information and self-help tools, not legal advice. This page does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Primary Statutes