Amarillo Landlord-Tenant Rules

State preemption of local tenant rules: Texas law sharply limits what the City can do for renters. A Texas city may not adopt, enforce or keep an ordinance in a field the Texas Property Code occupies, and that field expressly includes ordinances that regulate evictions or that prohibit, restrict or delay a notice to vacate or the filing of an eviction suit. For eviction suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, only the Legislature may modify or suspend eviction procedures, and courts may not require mediation or other pre-trial proceedings. Cities also may not bar landlords from refusing tenants because their rent is paid partly with federal housing assistance, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, except protections for military veterans.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Amarillo's City Marshal's Office handles code enforcement. Residents can report a possible code violation inside city limits online, including property maintenance problems and unsafe or unsecured structures; City staff review each report.; Local rental assistance: The City of Amarillo Community Development Department runs a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program that pays part of the monthly rent for eligible low-income households, and works with local agencies on Rapid Re-housing (short-term rent help, case management and services for people experiencing homelessness). As of the page read, neither program is accepting applications. Contact the rental assistance program at housing@amarillo.gov, or call Community Development at 806-378-3098 and ask for the Housing Navigator (Simms Municipal Building, 808 S. Buchanan St.). The City has no funds for water or other utility bills.