Texas 3 Day Notice to Vacate

Landlords in Texas can begin the eviction process using the Texas 3-Day Notice to Vacate when a tenant has violated the lease or state laws. They must receive this written notice before an eviction can proceed.

Who: When the landlord needs to evict a tenant for something other than non-payment of the rent, they must issue them a written Texas 3-Day Notice to Vacate.

This is the appropriate document to use when:
• Your tenant violated some part of the lease agreement
• The lease agreement has expired but the tenant has remained on the premises
• The tenancy was a "month to month" arrangement, and you now wish to end it

Unless the lease has specified that you do not have to give them notice prior to filing for a Forcible Entry and Detainer Lawsuit, which is the next step in eviction, you must issue them the Texas 3-Day Notice to Vacate.

What: This notice is going to explain why you want them to vacate and will give them three days to vacate. The "clock starts ticking for them to vacate when the Notice is actually delivered", according to the state. That means you should send the Texas 3-Day Notice to Vacate via Certified Mail or use personal delivery to ensure you follow the legal timelines.

Once they have received the Texas 3 Day Notice to Vacate, there is the three-day notice period and then you can begin a court action if the tenant remains on the premises. This is when you file a lawsuit called a "Forcible Entry and Detainer" lawsuit.

When: Landlords in Texas are legally allowed to issue a Notice to Vacate the very day after a renter fails to pay their monthly rent. The non-payment of rent is a legal reason for starting the eviction process, and the landlord does not even have to provide their tenant with the opportunity to pay what is due.

Resources:
• Texas Notice to Vacate for Unpaid Rent
• Excessive Noise
• Late Rent - Demand for Payment
• Texas Lease Agreement

Tips and Tricks for Landlords: Be sure you have two copies of your 3-Day Notice to Vacate prior to delivering it. One is going to be for the courts if you must have a lawsuit, and the other is for your records. You give the tenant the original, and be sure you make a record of the date and time of day you delivered it.

Begin by downloading a blank copy of the notice here, and then consult with an attorney about your situation. There is no such thing as an easy eviction, and you will want to be sure you are following the laws accordingly and protecting your interests as your case proceeds.

Texas State Specific Documents

• Texas Notice to Vacate for Unpaid Rent: This form should be used if Tenants are behind on Lease Payments beyond any applicable grace periods.

• Texas 3-Day Notice to Vacate: This is the form Landlords should use for Lease violations not related to unpaid rent.

• Texas Flood Disclosure: This form allows Landlords to notify Tenants of potential flood risks in the Lease Agreement.
• Texas Tenant Screening Criteria Disclosure: This document contains information regarding the Texas tenant selection criteria.
• Texas Property Code Title 8 Landlord Tenant: This document contains the complete Landlord Tenant Code of Texas.
• PUCT Registration form for Submetered or Allocated (FORM 10363): Texas Landlords who submeter or allocate utility bills must file a Registration of Submetered or Allocated Utility Service Form for each unit where Tenants are billed.