Key Information about Texas and Pets in Apartments

 Here are some key points related to pets in Texas apartments

 

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In Texas, landlords have the flexibility to create their own rules regarding pets and include them in the lease agreement.

Pet Policies in Leases:
Texas does not have specific tenant pet laws. Landlords can establish their own rules for pets and outline them in the lease.

The lease might:
Completely prohibit pets. Allow tenants to have pets, but only certain types or breeds. Permit pets after registering them with management and paying a pet deposit. Not mention anything about pets (no pet restrictions)¹.

Eviction and Pet Violations:
Yes, you can be evicted for violating your lease’s pet policy unless your pet is an assistance animal. An assistance animal is either a service animal (trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities) or an emotional support animal (providing companionship to individuals with mental or psychiatric disabilities). Landlords must generally allow assistance animals as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). They cannot deny an assistance animal unless it would cause significant costs or property alterations1.

Proposed Legislation, which in my opinion, I don’t believe it will pass:
If passed, landlords could: Cap monthly pet fees at $20 or collect a one-time refundable pet deposit at the beginning of the lease. However, they would not be allowed to do both. The goal is to place “reasonable limits” on pet-related costs to prevent families from being priced out of their homes².

Public Housing and Pets:
Public housing authorities must allow common household pets. However, they can create reasonable policies to limit pet ownership based on available space, such as size restrictions and limits on the number of pets³.

Remember that while landlords can set their own pet policies, assistance animals are protected by federal law, and reasonable accommodations should be made for tenants with disabilities. Always check your lease and understand the specific rules regarding pets in your rental property! 

 

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