Legal and Tenant Help

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Getting a notice on your door or a letter from court can make your stomach drop. Take a deep breath. There are steps you can take, and there is no cost legal help in Texas for people who qualify.

Here is the easy first step: read the paper carefully, write down every date on it, and call your local legal aid office today. Their numbers are in the county list later in this guide.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise legal help, money or a result in any case.
• This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change. For advice about your situation, talk with a lawyer or legal aid.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Where can I get no cost legal help?

Legal aid offices give no cost civil legal help to people with low incomes, on things like evictions, benefits, family law and consumer problems. Each office decides who it can serve and which counties it covers, so call and ask.

• TexasLawHelp.org has no cost articles and forms for Texas tenants, including an eviction Answer form and a security deposit demand letter.
• Texas has three large legal aid groups: Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Each one is listed for its counties later in this guide.
• The Texas Tenant Advisor at texastenant.org has more help for renters.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texaslawhelp.org/article/eviction

BUNKLY TIP

Count the days on a calendar

Mark the date you got the paper, then count each deadline on a calendar. Texas eviction deadlines are short, so ask legal aid to double check your dates with you.

What does a notice to vacate mean?

As of October 16, 2026, TexasLawHelp says a landlord must give you a written notice before filing an eviction case. It may be a Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate, or a Notice to Vacate.

• Read the notice and your lease, and write down the date you got it. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• The date on the notice is not the day you must leave. It's how long the landlord must wait before filing a case.
• Only a court can order an eviction. TexasLawHelp says the landlord must sue in Justice Court and get a Writ of Possession before a constable can remove you.
• Keep paying your rent as usual, so nonpayment can't become another reason to evict you.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texaslawhelp.org/article/eviction

What if I get eviction papers from court?

Act right away. Hearings can come up fast.

• Read the papers. They tell you the date, time and place of your hearing.
• File an Answer. TexasLawHelp says it's not required, but it's often a good idea, and you'll need one if you appeal. It has a no cost Answer form.
• Want a jury? As of October 16, 2026, TexasLawHelp says you can ask for one and pay $22, or file a sworn statement that you can't pay, before your trial date.
• Go to the hearing. If you don't, the judge will likely rule against you.
• If you lose, you may be able to appeal, but the time is short. Call legal aid right away.
• If the papers include a Motion for Summary Disposition, respond fast and call legal aid.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

This is general information, not legal advice. See the county list for legal aid near you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texaslawhelp.org/article/eviction

Paperwork can feel scary, but you are not alone in this. One call to legal aid can change everything, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Can my landlord lock me out or shut off my power?

Your landlord can't use a lockout or a shutoff to get around court. Here's what to know:

• Utilities. If the utilities you pay for directly are shut off, call legal aid. A judge may be able to order them turned back on.
• Lockouts. Locked out? Ask for a key, and call legal aid. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• You may be able to ask the Justice Court for help getting back in. Call legal aid.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://guides.sll.texas.gov/landlord-tenant-law/utility-shutoffs and https://texaslawhelp.org/article/when-tenants-get-locked-out

How do I get my security deposit back?

Here's what to know.

• Give your landlord your forwarding address in writing. It can be any reliable place to get mail.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• If the landlord keeps money for repairs, ask for a written, itemized list of the damage and costs.
• Don't skip your last month's rent to use up the deposit. TexasLawHelp says that can cause bigger problems.
• If your deposit isn't refunded, you can sue in Justice Court, which handles small claims. TexasLawHelp has a demand letter form to try first.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texaslawhelp.org/article/security-deposits

BUNKLY TIP

Take move out photos

When you move out, take photos and a short video of every room, with the date. It's one of the best ways to protect your deposit. You've got this!

What if I'm treated unfairly because of who I am?

Think you were treated differently because of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or family status? You can report it to HUD.

Legal aid can help too.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Texas

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Harris County (Houston)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Dallas County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Tarrant County (Fort Worth)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bexar County (San Antonio)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Travis County (Austin)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Collin County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Denton County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hidalgo County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

El Paso County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Fort Bend County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My legal plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You're doing the right thing by getting informed. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 16, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 16, 2026