The bill amends various sections of the Texas Property Code to clarify the processes surrounding tenant repairs and the return of security deposits. It specifies that repairs made following a tenant's notice must be conducted by an independent company, contractor, or repairman, and if the rental unit is in a municipality that requires licensing, the repair entity must be licensed accordingly. Additionally, the bill prohibits repairs from being made by the tenant or their immediate family, employer, or any company in which the tenant has an ownership interest, particularly for foundational or load-bearing elements in multi-unit buildings.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the conditions under which a landlord is obligated to return a tenant's security deposit, emphasizing that a tenant must provide a forwarding address to the landlord. It introduces provisions that allow tenants to satisfy this requirement through various means, including hand delivery or different forms of mail. The bill also establishes that a landlord is presumed to have acted in bad faith if they fail to return the security deposit or provide a written description of damages within 30 days after the tenant has surrendered possession and provided their forwarding address. The changes will apply only to leases entered into or renewed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 92.0561, Property Code 92.107, Property Code 92.109, Property Code 94.107, Property Code 94.109, Property Code 94.157 (Property Code 92, Property Code 94)