Security Deposit Interest in Texas: No State Requirement (2026)
Texas does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits; Property Code Ch. 92 Subchapter B only mandates return within … Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o
Quick answer
No — Texas law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Texas does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits; Property Code Ch. 92 Subchapter B only mandates return within 30 days (3x+$100 penalty for bad-faith withholding) and contains no interest provision. The rule comes from Tex. Prop. Code Ann. sec. 92.101-92.109 (Subchapter B: Security Deposits). State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28
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What Texas law does — and does not — require
Texas has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. Texas does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits; Property Code Ch. 92 Subchapter B only mandates return within 30 days (3x+$100 penalty for bad-faith withholding) and contains no interest provision.
The statute that governs deposits in Texas, Tex. Prop. Code Ann. sec. 92.101-92.109 (Subchapter B: Security Deposits), covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.
How interest must be paid
Not applicable; no interest requirement. Not applicable; refund of the deposit itself is due on or before the 30th day after lease termination and surrender (sec. 92.103).
Who the law applies to
All residential tenancies governed by Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 92 Subchapter B (sections 92.101-92.109); no deposit cap; landlord may commingle and keep any interest earned.
Cities in Texas that require interest
No deposit-interest ordinance found for Austin, Houston, or Dallas (searched municipal-level sources; none impose interest, unlike CA/NJ cities). Ch. 92 is statewide floor; local rules touch registration/relocation, not deposit interest.
States that do require deposit interest
Texas has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:
| State | Statutory rate |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from |
| Ohio | 5% per annum |
| Maryland | greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases |
| Minnesota | 1% per annum |
| New York | Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing |
The statute behind it
| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | Tex. Prop. Code Ann. sec. 92.101-92.109 (Subchapter B: Security Deposits) | | Official text | statutes.capitol.texas.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |
Cross-checked against: Texas Public Law - Tex. Prop. Code 92.101-92.109 full section texts and complete Subchapter B section list (no interest provision; verified May 2025 statute text mirror), Landlord Studio - Texas Security Deposit Laws (no statewide cap; no interest requirement).
Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.
FAQ
Does Texas require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. Texas law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. No deposit-interest ordinance found for Austin, Houston, or Dallas (searched municipal-level sources; none impose interest, unlike CA/NJ cities). Ch. 92 is statewide floor; local rules touch registration/relocation, not deposit interest.
How is deposit interest calculated in Texas?
Texas does not require landlords to pay interest on residential security deposits; Property Code Ch. 92 Subchapter B only mandates return within 30 days (3x+$100 penalty for bad-faith withholding) and contains no interest provision. The calculator at the top of this page reflects Texas's rules where a numeric value exists.
When do I get the interest?
Not applicable; refund of the deposit itself is due on or before the 30th day after lease termination and surrender (sec. 92.103).
Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?
Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your Texas lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.
Independent second source · 2026-10-28Related guides
- All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
- Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
- Neighboring states: Arkansas · Louisiana
This page is information, not legal advice — see the full disclaimer.