Texas State Law requires re-keying of Rental Properties to be completed by a licensed
Locksmith.
Texas Law also requires that the smoke alarms be physically checked before tenants move in.
Texas Security Devices Statute which all rental-housing owners in Texas need to be in
compliance with.
The statute applies to owners of apartments, houses, duplexes, triplexes, condominium units,
townhouses, cooperatives, mobile homes, rooms in private dormitories and rooming houses,
garage apartments, public housing projects, and all other types of dwellings that are rented.
The only exceptions are for hotels, motels and dormitories owned or operated by certain kinds
of educational institutions.
The safety and security of your residents and their families are at stake - as well as your own
potential liability and exposure to multi-million dollar lawsuits.
If you fail to follow the lock laws, it gives your tenant a free way to cancel the lease agreement. It
also places you in a position of greater liability in case of a break in.
Upon change of tenants, you have 7 days of your new tenant moving in to rekey the locks.
This expense cannot be passed on to the tenant, even if the tenant agrees. It is illegal to
charge tenants for re-keying locks in Texas.
The following is a list of what needs to be done when converting a property into a rental home.
1.) Keyless deadbolts - All exterior doors in your rental property must have a
Keyless deadbolt installed, including the door leading from the inside of
your home into the garage.
2.) Door-viewer - All exterior doors in your rental property must have a Door-
viewer (peep hole) installed; even if there is a clear glass panel or window
next to the door – including if the door opens from the dwelling into the
garage, the door is at the rear of the dwelling, or on the second or third
story of the dwelling.
3.) Pin locks - All sliding glass doors must have a Pin locks and either
a locking handle or a Charlie bar installed.
4.) French Doors - All French doors must have a threshold bolt and
upper door jamb bolt (with a 3/4" throw) on one door, and the other
door must have a keyless deadbolt and either a keyed deadbolt or
keyed doorknob lock.
5.) Window latches - You must have a window latch on each window.
It can be the original latch or an after-market type.
Double Cycliner Deadbolts - These locks require a key to open the deadbolt from the inside to
exit and can create a fire trap. Replacing these locks is not required by state
code, but it would be prudent for you to consider the possible liability of a tenant
or children trapped inside your dwelling during a fire.
The information here should not be considered conclusive or a substitute for legal
advice. Anyone needing legal assistance should contact an attorney.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. ReKey at 713.571.1500 or Katy Property
Management at 281.398.9844.
920
281.398.9844 office
77450 Texas Katy,
Road Fry South
