H.B. No. 798 seeks to strengthen the rights of residential tenants and clarify the responsibilities of landlords in Texas, particularly in relation to eviction processes and tenant protections. The bill mandates that landlords provide a 10-day written notice to tenants who default on rent before issuing a notice to vacate, followed by a 14-day notice that must include the reason for eviction and information about tenant rights and legal assistance. It also allows tenants to cure their default before a writ of possession is executed, reinstating their lease by paying owed rent and costs. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for sealing eviction case information under certain circumstances and prohibits the use of COVID-19-related eviction cases against individuals in rental negotiations.

Further amendments to the Property Code include protections for tenants who have faced eviction during a state of disaster, requiring landlords to prioritize unpaid rent over other fees, and clarifying that a tenant's arrest or criminal charges do not constitute a lease default. The bill also establishes stricter requirements for landlord entry into rental properties, allows tenants to terminate leases for uninhabitable conditions, and provides for rent reductions if premises are partially unusable. It introduces regulations on criminal record screening, prohibiting landlords from considering certain arrests and convictions, and expands the definition of retaliatory actions against tenants. The changes will apply to new or renewed lease agreements starting January 1, 2026, with some provisions effective earlier on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 24.005, Property Code 92.0081, Property Code 92.011, Property Code 92.019, Property Code 92.052, Property Code 92.0563, Property Code 92.056, Property Code 92.0561, Property Code 92.331, Property Code 92.333, Property Code 92.351, Property Code 92.3515, Property Code 92.354, Property Code 94.251 (Property Code 24, Property Code 92, Property Code 94)