Texas Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Texas lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Texas law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Texas law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Military: a servicemember or dependent may terminate on entering military service, or on permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days; written notice plus orders; for monthly-rent leases termination is effective 30 days after the next rent due date; prepaid rent refunded within 30 days; penalty one month's rent + $500 + damages and fees. Tenant death: representative of a deceased sole occupant may end the lease by written notice once property is removed; effective the later of 30 days after notice or when conditions are met. No statute for medical/disability or senior moves. Source: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.017; 92.0162
Ending a lease: domestic violence	Yes. A tenant may end the lease and avoid future rent if the tenant or an occupant is a victim of family violence (protective order or documentation from a licensed health care or mental health provider or a family violence advocate), or if the tenant or the tenant's resident child is a victim of certain sexual offenses or stalking within the prior 6 months (documentation or protective order). Tenant gives written notice of termination; release takes effect after 30 days have passed and the tenant moves out (no 30-day notice needed where a cotenant/occupant committed the family violence and an order or documentation is provided). Past-due rent remains owed unless the lease lacks the statutory notice sentence about these rights. Landlord violation: actual damages + one month's rent + $500 + attorney's fees. Not waivable. Source: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.016; 92.0161

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Military: a servicemember or dependent may terminate on entering military service, or on permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days; written notice plus orders; for monthly-rent leases termination is effective 30 days after the next rent due date; prepaid rent refunded within 30 days; penalty one month's rent + $500 + damages and fees. Tenant death: representative of a deceased sole occupant may end the lease by written notice once property is removed; effective the later of 30 days after notice or when conditions are met. No statute for medical/disability or senior moves.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.017; 92.0162

Ending a lease: domestic violence

Yes. A tenant may end the lease and avoid future rent if the tenant or an occupant is a victim of family violence (protective order or documentation from a licensed health care or mental health provider or a family violence advocate), or if the tenant or the tenant's resident child is a victim of certain sexual offenses or stalking within the prior 6 months (documentation or protective order). Tenant gives written notice of termination; release takes effect after 30 days have passed and the tenant moves out (no 30-day notice needed where a cotenant/occupant committed the family violence and an order or documentation is provided). Past-due rent remains owed unless the lease lacks the statutory notice sentence about these rights. Landlord violation: actual damages + one month's rent + $500 + attorney's fees. Not waivable.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.016; 92.0161

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.017; 92.0162 for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.