Rental Agreement Form for Texas

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control: RAD-TX-2026.1
Effective Date: [Effective Date]
Jurisdiction/Scope: State of Texas (Texas Property Code Compliant)

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1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

NOTICE: This Residential Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract designed to comply with the laws of the State of Texas, including the Texas Property Code. This document establishes significant legal rights and obligations. Parties should consult with qualified legal counsel licensed in the State of Texas prior to execution. Modifying or deleting clauses may result in unintended legal consequences under Texas law.

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2. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Date], by and between the following parties:

• Landlord: [Full Legal Name of Landlord or Property Manager], having a principal place of business/residence at [Landlord Address], hereinafter referred to as "Landlord."
• Tenant(s): [Full Legal Name of Tenant 1] and [Full Legal Name of Tenant 2], hereinafter collectively referred to as "Tenant."

Property Description

Landlord leases to Tenant, and Tenant rents from Landlord, the real property and improvements located at:
[Street Address, Unit No.], City of [City], Texas, Zip Code [Zip Code], together with any appliances and personal property specified herein (the "Premises").

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3. TERM & OCCUPANCY

• 3.1 Lease Term: The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] (the "Commencement Date") and expire at 11:59 PM on [End Date] (the "Expiration Date"), unless renewed or terminated in accordance with this Agreement or Texas law.
• 3.2 Occupancy Limit: The Premises shall be occupied strictly as a private residential dwelling by the undersigned Tenants and the following authorized minor occupants only: [Names of Minor Occupants or "None"]. Unauthorized sub-letting or occupancy exceeding fourteen (14) consecutive days without Landlord's prior written consent constitutes a material breach.
• 3.3 Holdover: If Tenant retains possession of the Premises after the Expiration Date without Landlord's written consent, Tenant shall pay [Holdover Daily Rate, e.g., $150.00] per day as holdover rent, plus all damages suffered by Landlord, and shall be subject to immediate eviction proceedings under Texas Property Code Chapter 24.

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4. RENT, FEES & PAYMENT TERMS

• 4.1 Base Rent: Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord as base rent the sum of [Monthly Rent Amount] USD per month, due and payable in advance on the first (1st) day of each calendar month (the "Due Date").
• 4.2 Payment Mechanics: Rent shall be paid via [Payment Method, e.g., Electronic Portal / ACH / Check] to [Payment Destination / Account Details]. Cash is strictly prohibited.
• 4.3 Late Fees: Rent is late if not received by Landlord by 11:59 PM on the third (3rd) day of the calendar month. Tenant shall pay a late charge of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00] plus an additional [Daily Late Fee, e.g., $10.00] per day until the delinquent balance is paid in full. This late fee structure is agreed to be a pre-estimate of administrative costs and losses incurred by late payment.
• 4.4 Returned Payment Fee: If any payment is dishonored, rejected, or returned for insufficient funds (NSF), Tenant shall pay a returned check fee of [NSF Fee Amount, e.g., $35.00] in addition to any applicable late fees.
• 4.5 Application of Funds: Landlord reserves the right to apply any funds received from Tenant first to non-rent obligations (late fees, utility charges, maintenance costs), and subsequently to outstanding rent balances, regardless of Tenant's designations.

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5. SECURITY DEPOSIT

• 5.1 Deposit Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Security Deposit Amount] USD as a Security Deposit.
• 5.2 Holding and Use: The Security Deposit shall be held by Landlord in compliance with Texas Property Code Chapter 92. Landlord is not required to place the security deposit in an interest-bearing account, and any interest earned, if applicable, shall belong to Landlord.
• 5.3 Deductions and Return: In accordance with Texas Property Code § 92.103, Landlord shall refund the Security Deposit, less lawful deductions for unpaid rent, cleaning costs, and damages exceeding normal wear and tear, within thirty (30) days after Tenant surrenders the Premises and provides a forwarding address. Tenant may not apply the Security Deposit toward the final month's rent.

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6. UTILITIES & SERVICES

• 6.1 Tenant Responsibilities: Tenant shall contract directly for and promptly pay all charges for electricity, gas, internet, cable, and phone services associated with the Premises.
• 6.2 Landlord Responsibilities: Landlord shall provide and pay for [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., Trash collection, HOA dues, or write "None"].
• 6.3 Interruption of Utilities: Landlord shall not be liable for any interruption or failure of utility services beyond Landlord's reasonable control, nor shall any such failure constitute a constructive eviction.

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7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS & ALTERATIONS

• 7.1 Tenant Duty of Care: Tenant shall maintain the Premises in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition and shall immediately notify Landlord in writing of any structural defects, water leaks, or hazardous conditions.
• 7.2 Repair Requests: Per Texas Property Code § 92.052, all repair requests must be submitted in writing to Landlord via [Method of Notice, e.g., Tenant Portal / Certified Email], except in cases of immediate life-threatening emergencies.
• 7.3 Alterations: Tenant shall not make any structural alterations, paint, install wallpaper, change locks, or affix fixtures to the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. All unauthorized alterations shall become the property of Landlord upon installation.
• 7.4 Smoke Detectors & Security Devices: Landlord shall provide smoke detectors and window latches in compliance with Texas Property Code Chapter 92, Subchapter D. Tenant shall test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries as needed. Tenant shall not disable or tamper with any safety device.

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8. ACCESS & INSPECTION

• 8.1 Landlord Access: In accordance with Texas law and lease covenants, Landlord, and Landlord’s agents, shall have the right to enter the Premises during reasonable hours, upon reasonable notice (at least twenty-four (24) hours, except in emergencies), to inspect the property, make necessary repairs, exhibit the Premises to prospective buyers or tenants, or perform statutory maintenance.
• 8.2 Emergency Entry: Landlord reserves the right to enter the Premises immediately without prior notice in the event of an emergency posing an imminent threat to life, safety, or property.

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9. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

• 9.1 Events of Default: Tenant shall be in default under this Agreement if:
  1. Tenant fails to pay rent or other charges when due;
  2. Tenant breaches any material covenant, term, or condition of this Agreement;
  3. Tenant abandons the Premises; or
  4. Tenant files for bankruptcy or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors.
• 9.2 Landlord Remedies: Upon default, Landlord may pursue all remedies available under Texas law, including terminating this Agreement, recovering unpaid rent and damages, accelerating future rent where lawful, and initiating a Forcible Detainer (eviction) action pursuant to Texas Property Code Chapter 24.
• 9.3 Statutory Notice: Unless otherwise agreed or waived, Landlord shall provide Tenant with written notice to vacate or cure as mandated by Texas Property Code § 24.005 prior to filing an eviction suit.

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10. GOVERNING LAW & MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

• 10.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for any legal action arising herefrom shall lie exclusively in the county where the Premises are located.
• 10.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
• 10.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written representations. No modification hereof shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties.
• 10.4 Attorney’s Fees: In any legal action or proceeding brought to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and related expenses from the non-prevailing party, to the maximum extent permitted by Texas law.

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11. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Full Name]
Title: [Landlord / Authorized Agent]
Date: [Date]

Contact Address: [Landlord Contact Address]
Email: [Landlord Email Address]

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TENANT(S):

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Full Name]
Date: [Date]

Contact Address: [Tenant 1 Phone / Forwarding Address]
Email: [Tenant 1 Email Address]

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Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Full Name]
Date: [Date]

Contact Address: [Tenant 2 Phone / Forwarding Address]
Email: [Tenant 2 Email Address]

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12. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Customization & Review: Fill in all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate operational data and review all financial terms (rent, deposits, late fees) to ensure alignment with local market rates and institutional policies.
2. Statutory Disclosures: Ensure all mandatory Texas-specific disclosures—including the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if built prior to 1978), Mold Disclosure, and Parking Rules Addendum—are attached and executed concurrently with this Agreement.
3. Execution & Funding: Collect all signatures from Landlord (or authorized agent) and all adult Tenants. Secure cleared funds for the Security Deposit and first month's rent prior to releasing keys or granting physical possession of the Premises.
4. Record Retention: Deliver a fully executed copy of this Agreement and all attached disclosures to the Tenant within three (3) business days of execution, and retain the original executing documents in a secure operational compliance vault for a minimum of four (4) years post-tenancy termination.