Texas Renters: Your Rights for Changing Apartment Locks

If you are a renter in Texas and concerned about your safety or privacy, understanding your rights around changing locks is essential. Texas law gives tenants some important protections related to door locks, especially after situations like domestic violence or a landlord's failure to provide proper security. Here's a plain-language guide to lock changes in Texas, with everything you need to know to protect yourself and your home.

Tenant Rights: When You Can Change Your Locks in Texas

Under Texas law, renters do not have automatic permission to change locks whenever they wish. However, there are certain situations in which a tenant is legally allowed to request a lock change or even change the locks themselves under specific conditions.

Key Situations Where Lock Changes Are Allowed

• Domestic Violence Protection: If you or an occupant in your home are a victim of family violence and have a court-issued protective order or police report, you have the right to request a lock change at your expense. Your landlord must change the locks within a reasonable time after receiving your request and a copy of the order or report.
• Landlord-Failure to Provide Proper Locks: Texas law requires landlords to install and regularly rekey specific security devices like deadbolts and keyless bolting devices. If your landlord fails to provide these by law, you may have rights to remedy the situation.
• Renter Requests (Not Emergency): For non-emergency reasons, you can only change the locks with your landlord’s written consent. Otherwise, changing locks on your own, without notice or permission, may violate your lease and Texas property law.

Required Security Devices in Texas Rentals

• Keyed deadbolts on exterior doors
• Keyless bolting device (door latch or bar) on exterior doors
• Peepholes or door viewers (for certain apartments)

Landlords must rekey locks within 7 days of a new tenant moving in. For full legal requirements, see the detailed Texas Property Code, Chapter 92, Subchapter D – Security Devices.^[1]

How to Legally Request a Lock Change for Family Violence

If you are seeking a lock change for your safety due to family violence:

• Provide your landlord with a written request
• Include a copy of your protective order or official police report
• Landlord must change the locks upon this request, usually at your expense
• The landlord cannot give keys to the person named in the protective order

Review Section 92.156 of the Texas Property Code on Lock Changes for Family Violence Victims for details.^[2]

Required Forms for Texas Renters

• Request for Lock Change (Due to Family Violence)
  
  • Official form name: There is no statewide standardized form, but your written request must include a statement referencing your right under Texas Property Code Section 92.156, attach your court order or police report, and be submitted to your landlord.
  • Example: "I am requesting, under Section 92.156 of the Texas Property Code, that the locks on my rental unit be changed due to a recent incident of family violence. Attached is a copy of my [protective order/police report]."
  • Find more guidance here: Texas Attorney General – Family Violence and Your Lease (see page 5 for lock change section)

If your landlord does not respond, you may be able to pursue remedies through the local Justice of the Peace court.

Texas Tribunal for Tenancy Disputes

Tenant-landlord disputes related to locks, repairs, or rent are typically handled by the Texas Justice of the Peace Courts, also known as "JP Courts." These local courts handle eviction cases and claims under the Texas Property Code.

Relevant Texas Legislation

• Texas Property Code, Chapter 92: Residential Tenancies – comprehensive details on security devices, lock changes, and tenant/landlord duties

FAQ: Texas Tenant Lock Change Rights

1. Can I change the locks on my apartment myself in Texas?
   You generally need your landlord’s permission before changing the locks, unless it's related to a family violence situation and you follow the required process.
2. How quickly must my landlord change the locks after I request it for safety?
   Your landlord is required to change the locks "as soon as practicable," typically within days of your written request and official documentation of family violence.
3. Does my landlord have to give me a key after changing the locks?
   Yes, but if a lock is changed due to family violence, the landlord cannot legally provide a key to the alleged abuser listed in the court order or police report.
4. What if my landlord refuses to install required security devices?
   You may have the right to request the devices in writing and, if not fixed, pursue remedies through the Justice of the Peace court or withhold rent under specific legal procedures.
5. Must the landlord rekey all locks between tenants?
   Yes. Under Texas law, locks must be rekeyed within 7 days of a new tenant moving in.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Texas Renters

• You cannot change locks without landlord approval, except in cases of documented family violence—with proper notice and paperwork.
• Texas law requires landlords to provide and rekey specific security devices, protecting your safety as a renter.
• If you need help or your landlord does not comply with the law, you can seek support from local Justice of the Peace courts or state agencies.

Understanding your rights about locks can empower you to feel secure in your rental home, and help you take proper legal steps if your safety is threatened.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 – Full text of Texas rental housing law
• Texas Attorney General: Victims' Rights for Renters – Support for renters facing domestic violence
• Texas Justice of the Peace Courts Directory – Find your local tribunal for urgent disputes
• TexasLawHelp: Tenants' Rights to Security Devices – Step-by-step tenant guidance (official state legal aid)

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1. Texas Property Code, Sec. 92.153 – Security Devices Required Without Necessity of Tenant Request
2. Texas Property Code, Sec. 92.156 – Changing of Locks Because of Family Violence

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