H.B. No. 79 amends the Texas Property Code to modify the notice period required for certain evictions. Specifically, it establishes that landlords must provide tenants—whether under a written lease or an oral rental agreement—at least 14 days' written notice to vacate the premises before filing a forcible detainer suit, unless a different notice period is specified in a written lease or agreement. This change applies to both tenants who default and those who hold over beyond the rental term. Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection (b-1) that allows landlords to file a forcible detainer suit on or after the third day following the notice if the lease is terminated under Section 91.003.

The bill also clarifies that if a property is purchased at a tax foreclosure sale, the new owner must provide a residential tenant with at least 30 days' written notice to vacate if they choose not to continue the lease, provided the tenant has been timely in paying rent. The changes in law will only apply to eviction suits where the notice to vacate is given on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set to take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 24.005 (Property Code 24)