Fort Worth Landlord-Tenant Rules
Fort Worth adds local rules on top of Texas landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Fair housing (local protected classes) | Fort Worth's Human Relations Ordinance adds sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity and gender expression to the federal and Texas protected classes in housing. Source of income and veteran status are not listed. Complaints go to the City's Civil Rights Office (FHAP@fortworthtexas.gov) through its online form. The article/section number and the filing deadline are not shown on the page. State law bars cities from prohibiting refusal of federal housing vouchers (Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Sec. 250.007). |
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| Rental registration/inspection | Multifamily properties must register every year at a flat $13 per rental unit. This covers three or more units under one roof, three or more on one lot under the same owner, or three or more on connecting lots owned by the same person. Code Compliance's Multi-Family Inspection Section inspects these communities for safe and sanitary conditions. One- and two-family rentals must register only if they have fire-safety or public health and sanitation code violations, at $200 per unit per year. Out-of-state owners must name a local agent. Managers and leasing staff at complexes with 8 or more units must complete Crime-Free Multi-Housing training. One- and two-family rule: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/code-compliance/Rental-Property/rental-registration. The City pages do not cite the code chapter/section, and inspection frequency is not stated. Source: Official source |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Report code violations online or through the MyFW app, or call City Hall at 817-392-1234. Rental inspection results can be searched by complex name or address. Source: Official source |
| Local rental assistance | The City's Community Action Partners (CAP) program currently offers electric, gas and propane utility help to eligible Tarrant County residents. Emergency rental assistance is unavailable because funds are used up. Tarrant County veterans may get rent, mortgage and utility help. Applications are online only (817-392-2276). Status as shown on the page in October 2026. Source: Official source |
| State preemption of local tenant rules | Fort Worth has no local tenant notice, just-cause or eviction ordinance, and Texas law limits what cities may adopt. Cities may not regulate in fields the Property Code occupies, including evictions and notices to vacate. Since January 1, 2026, only the Legislature may modify eviction procedures, and courts may not require pre-trial mediation. Cities may not ban refusals of federal housing assistance, except for veterans. SB 38: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00038F.htm; SB 267: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/SB00267F.htm |
Eviction cases in Fort Worth are heard in: Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts (8 precincts); the suit must be filed in the precinct where the property is located
Eviction court, fees and help
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No right to counsel, and no City eviction legal-representation program was found. Official source
Local agencies
- Fort Worth Code Compliance - Rental Property / Multi-Family Inspection Section — Registers and inspects rental properties and takes code violation reports.
- Fort Worth Civil Rights Office — Investigates housing discrimination complaints under the Human Relations Ordinance. FHAP@fortworthtexas.gov.
- Community Action Partners (CAP) — Utility assistance and veterans' rent help. 817-392-2276.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Fort Worth add on top of Texas law?
Fair housing (local protected classes): Fort Worth's Human Relations Ordinance adds sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity and gender expression to the federal and Texas protected classes in housing. Source of income and veteran status are not listed. Complaints go to the City's Civil Rights Office (FHAP@fortworthtexas.gov) through its online form.; Rental registration/inspection: Multifamily properties must register every year at a flat $13 per rental unit. This covers three or more units under one roof, three or more on one lot under the same owner, or three or more on connecting lots owned by the same person. Code Compliance's Multi-Family Inspection Section inspects these communities for safe and sanitary conditions. One- and two-family rentals must register only if they have fire-safety or public health and sanitation code violations, at $200 per unit per year. Out-of-state owners must name a local agent. Managers and leasing staff at complexes with 8 or more units must complete Crime-Free Multi-Housing training.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Report code violations online or through the MyFW app, or call City Hall at 817-392-1234. Rental inspection results can be searched by complex name or address.; Local rental assistance: The City's Community Action Partners (CAP) program currently offers electric, gas and propane utility help to eligible Tarrant County residents. Emergency rental assistance is unavailable because funds are used up. Tarrant County veterans may get rent, mortgage and utility help. Applications are online only (817-392-2276).
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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.