Texas Commercial Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Texas commercial landlord-tenant relationships are governed primarily by the Texas Property Code Chapter 93 and the terms of the lease agreement itself. Unlike residential tenancies, commercial leases in Texas offer much greater freedom to negotiate terms — but they also come with fewer statutory protections for tenants and some unique landlord remedies, including the right to lock out tenants for nonpayment.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Commercial lease laws can be complex and vary based on lease terms. Always consult a licensed attorney in Texas for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Texas Commercial Lease Laws at a Glance

Security Deposits

Texas imposes no statutory cap on commercial security deposits. The deposit amount is typically negotiated between the landlord and tenant based on factors like the tenant's financial standing, lease term, and property type.

The landlord must return the deposit within 60 days after the tenant surrenders the premises — double the 30-day deadline for residential tenancies.

For more detail, see our Commercial Security Deposits guide.

Eviction and Lockout

Commercial evictions follow a similar process to residential evictions — a written notice to vacate, followed by a forcible detainer suit if the tenant does not comply.

However, Texas law provides commercial landlords with a unique remedy: the right to lock out a tenant for nonpayment of rent, provided proper notice procedures are followed.

For more detail, see our Commercial Eviction Process guide.

Lease Structure

Commercial leases in Texas are highly negotiable and may take several forms:

• Gross Lease — landlord pays all operating expenses
• Net Lease (N) — tenant pays some operating expenses
• Double Net Lease (NN) — tenant pays property taxes and insurance
• Triple Net Lease (NNN) — tenant pays taxes, insurance, and maintenance
• Modified Gross — expenses are shared based on negotiated terms

The lease agreement is the primary governing document, and courts will generally enforce it as written.

For more detail, see our Commercial Lease Requirements guide.

Maintenance and Repairs

Unlike residential tenancies, Texas law does not impose a statutory habitability standard on commercial landlords. Maintenance responsibilities are almost entirely determined by the lease agreement.

For more detail, see our Commercial Maintenance Obligations guide.

Landlord's Lien

Texas grants commercial landlords a statutory lien on a tenant's property located on the premises (Property Code §54.021). This lien:

• Secures rent that is due or will become due within the current 12-month period
• Attaches when the tenant's property is placed on the premises
• Can be enforced through distress warrant in court
• Does not apply to exempt property under Texas law

Rent and Late Fees

Commercial rent terms and late fees are governed entirely by the lease agreement. There are:

• No rent control provisions
• No statutory grace period for late payments (unlike residential)
• No statutory limits on late fee amounts

For more detail, see our Commercial Late Fees and Commercial Rent Increases guides.

Required Disclosures

Commercial landlords have far fewer mandatory disclosures than residential landlords. Properties built before 1978 are exempt from federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements for commercial tenancies.

For more detail, see our Commercial Required Disclosures guide.

Getting Started with Commercial Compliance

Managing commercial properties in Texas requires careful attention to lease drafting, security deposit handling, and understanding your rights as a landlord. Landager helps commercial landlords track lease terms, manage deposits, and stay on top of deadlines.

Explore more Texas commercial compliance topics:

• Commercial Security Deposits
• Commercial Eviction Process
• Commercial Required Disclosures
• Commercial Rent Increases
• Commercial Lease Requirements
• Commercial Maintenance Obligations
• Commercial Late Fees