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Eviction in Travis County (Austin), Texas

Where eviction cases are filed in Travis County (Austin), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Travis County (Austin)

Eviction court
Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts (5 precincts) — Justice of the Peace court Court page
Filing fee
$144 for filing and service on one person ($54 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional person; writ of possession $205 Travis County JP 4 Evictions page
Notice before filing (state law)
At least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing, unless the written lease provides a shorter or longer period. For a tenant evicted solely for nonpayment who was not delinquent before the month of the notice, the notice must be a notice to pay rent or vacate. Texas rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,852/month HUD
Renter households
279,582 (48% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Travis County (Austin)

Eviction cases in Travis County (Austin) are heard by the Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts (5 precincts) (Justice of the Peace court).

Eviction suits must be filed in the justice precinct where the rental property is located. A court date is set when the eviction is filed and appears on the citation; continuance requests must be in writing at least 3 days before the hearing (JP 4).

How much it costs to file an eviction in Travis County (Austin)

$144 for filing and service on one person ($54 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional person; writ of possession $205

Fees payable to the JP court and may be adjusted. A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs may be filed in lieu of fees (state rule).

Source: Travis County JP 4 Evictions page

How eviction cases work locally

Continuances (JP 4)Written continuance requests must be filed at least 3 days before the hearing; parties may agree in writing before trial.

The Texas eviction process

Texas state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Travis County (Austin):

  1. Written notice to vacate (at least 3 days unless lease says otherwise; pay-or-vacate form for first-time nonpayment) delivered by a method in Sec. 24.005(f-3)
  2. File sworn petition in justice court; landlord may include a sworn motion for summary disposition (Sec. 24.00505, 24.005106)
  3. Sheriff/constable must make a diligent effort to serve citation within 5 business days of filing; otherwise landlord may use another trained officer (Sec. 24.0051(f))
  4. Tenant may file a response to a summary disposition motion no later than the 4th day after service; trial is set 10-21 days after filing and not earlier than 4 days after service (Sec. 24.0051(g), 24.005106)
  5. Judgment; appeal to county court by bond, cash deposit, or statement of inability within 5 days after judgment is signed (Sec. 24.005107)
  6. Writ of possession may not issue before the 6th day after judgment (absent possession bond); officer serves it within 5 business days, posts a 24-hour warning, then executes (Sec. 24.0061)

Full Texas eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Travis County (Austin)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,474
1 bedroom$1,562
2 bedrooms$1,852
3 bedrooms$2,347
4 bedrooms$2,760

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Travis County (Austin): $1,744/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law (Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24 and Tex. R. Civ. P. 510). City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in Travis County (Austin)

Free legal help

City rules in Travis County (Austin)

Other Texas counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Travis County (Austin)?
Eviction cases in Travis County (Austin) are filed with the Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts (5 precincts).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Travis County (Austin)?
$144 for filing and service on one person ($54 filing + $90 service); $90 each additional person; writ of possession $205.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Travis County (Austin)?
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA).
What is the fair market rent in Travis County (Austin)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,852 per month (1-bedroom: $1,562).

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.