Texas Rekeying Law: Locks and Security Devices Landlords Must Provide
Texas Property Code rules on rekeying within seven days of turnover, required locks, latches, deadbolts and door viewers, and who pays.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 3 min read
Short answer: Texas requires a landlord to rekey key, card or combination locks at the landlord’s expense no later than the seventh day after each tenant turnover, and to equip every dwelling, without being asked, with window latches, a doorknob lock or keyed deadbolt, a keyless bolting device and door viewer on each exterior door, and pin locks and latches or bars on sliding glass doors. A tenant may ask for more rekeying at their own expense as often as they like.
Key takeaways
- Rekey within seven days after each tenant turnover, at the landlord’s expense (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.156(a)).
- Required without a request: window latches, a doorknob lock or keyed deadbolt, a keyless bolting device and a door viewer on each exterior door (§ 92.153).
- Sliding glass doors need a pin lock and a handle latch or security bar.
- A tenant may request unlimited extra rekeying at the tenant’s expense; master-key changes are the landlord’s cost (§ 92.156(b)–(c)).
- Rekeying costs can come out of a deposit only after a breach and only if the lease says so in bold or underlined text.
Does a Texas landlord have to change the locks between tenants?
Yes. “A security device operated by a key, card, or combination shall be rekeyed by the landlord at the landlord’s expense not later than the seventh day after each tenant turnover date.” The tenant may ask for more rekeying or a change of device at the tenant’s expense, with no limit on the number of requests; rekeying needed because of the landlord’s master key is at the landlord’s expense; and interior and closet doors are excluded (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.156).
If a tenant leaves in breach of a written lease, the landlord may deduct the reasonable cost of the required rekeying from the deposit “only if the lease includes a provision that is underlined or printed in boldface type authorizing the deduction” (§ 92.156(e)).
What security devices must a Texas rental have?
Without the tenant having to ask, a dwelling must have “a window latch on each exterior window,” “a doorknob lock or keyed dead bolt on each exterior door,” “a sliding door pin lock on each exterior sliding glass door,” “a sliding door handle latch or a sliding door security bar on each exterior sliding glass door,” and “a keyless bolting device and a door viewer on each exterior door,” installed at the landlord’s expense while a tenant is in possession. French doors have their own bolt requirements, and a keyless bolting device may be omitted in limited situations involving tenants over 55 or with a disability who ask in writing (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.153).
| Item | Requirement | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rekeying after turnover | Within 7 days after each tenant turnover | Landlord |
| Extra rekeying on request | As often as the tenant asks | Tenant |
| Exterior windows | Window latch on each | Landlord |
| Exterior doors | Doorknob lock or keyed deadbolt, keyless bolting device and door viewer | Landlord |
| Sliding glass doors | Pin lock, plus a handle latch or security bar | Landlord |
How should a landlord prove compliance?
- Record the turnover date and the date the locks were rekeyed, with the locksmith’s invoice.
- Check each required device at move-in and note it on the condition report.
- Keep the lease’s bold or underlined rekeying-deduction clause if you intend to charge it after a breach.
- If you use smart locks, issue new codes or credentials for each new tenant and revoke the old ones the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How soon must a Texas landlord rekey after a tenant moves out?
No later than the seventh day after each tenant turnover date, at the landlord’s expense.
Can a Texas landlord charge a tenant for rekeying?
Only for extra rekeying the tenant asks for, or from the deposit after a breach if the lease authorizes it in bold or underlined text.
Does Texas require a deadbolt?
Each exterior door needs a doorknob lock or keyed deadbolt, and a keyless bolting device and a door viewer.
Sources
- Texas Property Code Chapter 92, Subchapter D, Security Devices (§§ 92.151–92.170), Texas Legislature
How Seayora helps
Move-in and move-out inspections: A dated move-in checklist with photos records each lock and device in place when the tenancy begins.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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