How long does a landlord have to return my security deposit in Dallas?

The usual state deadline is 30 days after surrender of possession to return the deposit and provide an itemized list of deductions; see the cited state statute for exact text.

Is there a legal limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit in Dallas?

Texas law does not set a statewide cap on security deposit amounts; the lease and local ordinances control any limit.

What can a landlord deduct from my security deposit?

Permissible deductions generally include unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and required cleaning or repairs with documentation.

Where do I file a complaint if my landlord won’t return the deposit?

You can pursue a civil claim in justice or county court or file a habitability complaint with Dallas Code Compliance if the dispute involves code violations.

Dallas Rental Security Deposit Rules - Texas Law

Housing and Building Standards Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026

Dallas, Texas tenants and landlords must follow state landlord-tenant rules for security deposits. Under Texas law a landlord generally must return a tenant's security deposit and provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession; specific procedural text is in the state Property Code.^[1] The city of Dallas enforces local habitability and nuisance standards that can affect deposit disputes, but statutory deposit rules and deadlines are set at the state level.

Overview

Key points for Dallas rental agreements:

No state cap on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit unless a specific local ordinance says otherwise; check state law and lease terms.
Permissible deductions typically include unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and required cleaning or repairs.
Return deadline is generally 30 days after surrender of possession; the landlord must provide a written, itemized deduction list when withholding funds.

Always keep written delivery records and a forwarding address in writing.

Penalties & Enforcement

Who enforces deposit rules and what penalties apply in Dallas depends on whether the issue is a statutory landlord-tenant claim or a local code/habitability violation. For state-law deposit disputes the primary remedy is a civil action; for habitability or code violations the City of Dallas Code Compliance may issue orders or citations.

Monetary fines for violations by a landlord or by property owners are not specified on the cited state page for deposit return; refer to local code pages for municipal penalties.
Escalation: the cited state statutes do not set a graduated fine schedule for first or repeat deposit violations; civil remedies may include claims for withheld funds, court costs, and attorney fees where authorized.
Enforcers: civil courts for state-law claims; City of Dallas Code Compliance and Housing inspectors for local health, safety, and nuisance orders.
Inspection and complaint pathways: file a tenant complaint with Dallas Code Compliance for habitability issues; pursue money claims in justice or county court if the deposit is wrongfully withheld.
Appeals and review: appeal routes depend on the agency or court decision; time limits for court actions vary by claim type and are not specified on the cited state page.
Defences/discretion: landlords may claim permissible deductions for unpaid rent or damage; landlords may also assert reasonable excuse or offset where documented in lease or statute.

If a landlord provides no itemized list within the statutory period, file a claim promptly.

Applications & Forms

No statewide standardized "security deposit" form is required by the cited state statute; individual leases and local agency complaint forms govern process. For municipal habitability complaints use the City of Dallas complaint forms or online portal as provided by the local code compliance office.

Common Violations

Withholding the full deposit without an itemized list.
Charging deductions for normal wear and tear.
Failure to return the balance within the statutory deadline.
Attempting to retain deposit for repairs without documented invoices.

Action Steps

Document move-out condition with dated photos and send a written forwarding address to the landlord.
Request an itemized list of deductions in writing if funds are withheld.
If not resolved, file a small claims/justice-court action or a code complaint with Dallas Code Compliance for linked habitability issues.

FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return my security deposit in Dallas?: The usual state deadline is 30 days after surrender of possession to return the deposit and provide an itemized list of deductions; see the cited state statute for exact text.^[1]
Is there a legal limit on how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit in Dallas?: Texas law does not set a statewide cap on security deposit amounts; the lease and local ordinances control any limit.
What can a landlord deduct from my security deposit?: Permissible deductions generally include unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and required cleaning or repairs with documentation.
Where do I file a complaint if my landlord won’t return the deposit?: You can pursue a civil claim in justice or county court or file a habitability complaint with Dallas Code Compliance if the dispute involves code violations.

How-To

Send a dated written demand to the landlord requesting the deposit return and itemized deductions, keep a copy.
If no response, collect evidence (photos, lease, receipts) and compute your claim amount.
File in justice court for the amount you believe is owed; follow local filing rules and deadlines.
If habitability is an issue, submit a complaint to Dallas Code Compliance and request inspection.

Key Takeaways

Texas law governs deposit return timing and itemization; Dallas enforces habitability and related local standards.
Keep written records, photos, and forwarding address to protect your claim.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] Texas Property Code Chapter 92 - Landlord and Tenant (official)