Sec. 92.015. TENANT'S RIGHT TO SUMMON POLICE OR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. (a) A landlord may not:
(1) prohibit or limit a residential tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual is in need of intervention or emergency assistance; or
(2) impose monetary or other penalties on a tenant who summons police or emergency assistance if the assistance was requested or dispatched based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual was in need of intervention or emergency assistance.
(b) A provision in a lease is void if the provision purports to:
(1) waive a tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance based on the tenant's reasonable belief that an individual is in need of intervention or emergency assistance; or
(2) exempt any party from a liability or a duty under this section.
(c) In addition to other remedies provided by law, if a landlord violates this section, a tenant is entitled to recover from or against the landlord:
(1) a civil penalty in an amount equal to one month's rent;
(2) actual damages suffered by the tenant as a result of the landlord's violation of this section;
(3) court costs;
(4) injunctive relief; and
(5) reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the tenant in seeking enforcement of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, if a tenant's rent is subsidized in whole or in part by a governmental entity, "one month's rent" means one month's fair market rent.
(e) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 794, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (H.B. 1099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Structure Texas Statutes
Chapter 92 - Residential Tenancies
Subchapter A. General Provisions
Section 92.003. Landlord's Agent for Service of Process
Section 92.005. Attorney's Fees
Section 92.006. Waiver or Expansion of Duties and Remedies
Section 92.008. Interruption of Utilities
Section 92.0081. Removal of Property and Exclusion of Residential Tenant
Section 92.009. Residential Tenant's Right of Reentry After Unlawful Lockout
Section 92.0091. Residential Tenant's Right of Restoration After Unlawful Utility Disconnection
Section 92.010. Occupancy Limits
Section 92.011. Cash Rental Payments
Section 92.012. Notice to Tenant at Primary Residence
Section 92.013. Notice of Rule or Policy Change Affecting Tenant's Personal Property
Section 92.0131. Notice Regarding Vehicle Towing or Parking Rules or Policies
Section 92.0132. Term of Parking Permit
Section 92.0135. Notice for Dwelling Located in Floodplain
Section 92.014. Personal Property and Security Deposit of Deceased Tenant
Section 92.015. Tenant's Right to Summon Police or Emergency Assistance
Section 92.016. Right to Vacate and Avoid Liability Following Family Violence
Section 92.0161. Right to Vacate and Avoid Liability Following Certain Sex Offenses or Stalking
Section 92.0162. Right to Vacate and Avoid Liability Following Tenant's Death
Section 92.018. Liability of Tenant for Governmental Fines
Section 92.019. Late Payment of Rent; Fees
Section 92.0191. Statement of Late Fees
Section 92.020. Emergency Phone Number
Section 92.021. Liability of Certain Guarantors Under Lease
Section 92.023. Tenant's Remedies Regarding Revocation of Certificate of Occupancy
Section 92.024. Landlord's Duty to Provide Copy of Lease
Section 92.025. Liability for Leasing to Person With Criminal Record
Section 92.026. Possession of Firearms or Firearm Ammunition on Leased Premises