Texas Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Texas rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statewide rent control. Cities may adopt rent control only if the governing body finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 214.902
The rules in Texas
| Rent control / increase limits | No statewide rent control. Cities may adopt rent control only if the governing body finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance. |
|---|---|
| Late fees | Allowed only if notice of the fee is in a written lease, the fee is reasonable, and rent remains unpaid two full days after the due date. Safe-harbor reasonable fee: up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings with 4 or fewer units) or 10% (buildings with more than 4 units), or more if it does not exceed the landlord's uncertain damages. Violation: $100 + three times the improper late fee + attorney's fees. Initial and daily fees combined count as a single late fee. Source: Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.019 |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Texas vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | No statewide rent control. Cities may adopt rent control only if the governing body finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 214.902 | Allowed only if notice of the fee is in a written lease, the fee is reasonable, and rent remains unpaid two full days after the due date. Safe-harbor reasonable fee: up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings with 4 or fewer units) or 10% (buildings with more than 4 units), or more if it does not exceed the landlord's uncertain damages. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.019 |
| Arkansas | Local rent control is preempted. Local governments may not enact, maintain, or enforce ordinances controlling rent, and since Act 459 of 2025, rental application fees or rental deposits, for private residential or commercial property. There is no statewide rent cap. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 14-16-601, 14-54-1409 (as amended by Act 459 of 2025) | No statutory cap — no Arkansas statute limits residential late fees or requires a grace period. The Landlord-Tenant Act defines 'rent' to include late charges and lets the parties set rental terms not otherwise prohibited by law, so the lease governs. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-17-301(10), 18-17-401(a) |
| Louisiana | No statute — Louisiana has no state rent control law, and no city or parish is known to have adopted rent control; rent is set by the lease. No statute expressly addresses local rent control, but R.S. 9:3258 says lessors' rights may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law (subject to the police power). A 2026 bill to let municipalities adopt rent stabilization (HB 472) died in committee. La. R.S. 9:3258; 2026 Reg. Sess. HB 472 (involuntarily deferred 5/5/2026) | No statutory cap. A late fee can be charged only if the lease or an oral agreement provides for it. No statute; AG tenant guide |
| New Mexico | Statewide preemption: no political subdivision or home-rule municipality may enact rent control on privately owned real property. NMSA 1978, § 47-8A-1 | Only if the rental agreement provides for one; max 5% of the rent for each rental period in default, calculated on rent only (not deposits, fees, or utilities). Owner must give notice of the late fee no later than the last day of the next rental period. NMSA 1978, § 47-8-15(D) |
| Oklahoma | No statewide rent cap. Cities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing ordinances that set rent on privately owned residential (or commercial) property. 11 O.S. § 14-101.1 | No statutory cap or grace period. No late-fee section in 41 O.S. §§ 101-136 (full text checked) |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Texas Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Texas?
No statewide rent control. Cities may adopt rent control only if the governing body finds a housing emergency due to a disaster and the governor approves the ordinance. (Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 214.902)
Is there a limit on late fees in Texas?
Allowed only if notice of the fee is in a written lease, the fee is reasonable, and rent remains unpaid two full days after the due date. Safe-harbor reasonable fee: up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings with 4 or fewer units) or 10% (buildings with more than 4 units), or more if it does not exceed the landlord's uncertain damages. (Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.019)
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.