Bill > HB1247

This bill amends the Texas Property Code to strengthen protections for tenants when a landlord improperly interrupts utility services. Currently, if a landlord violates utility service regulations, tenants can recover possession of the premises or terminate the lease. The bill expands tenant remedies by allowing them to recover their actual damages, security deposit, one month's rent plus an additional $1,000, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs. Notably, the bill removes language that previously allowed landlords to offset these damages with delinquent rent, and it introduces a new provision that prevents landlords who violate utility service regulations from collecting any delinquent rent from the tenant. The changes will apply only to violations occurring on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning that prior violations will be governed by the law as it existed at the time of the violation.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1247