Free Texas Notice of Intent to Change Locks
Texas advance notice of intent to change locks under Property Code 92.0081(d). Required 3 calendar days posted or 5 calendar days mailed before lockout. Lease must permit lockout in writing. Tenant retains right to a new key at any hour.
Texas Property Code Section 92.0081 governs when and how a Texas landlord may change door locks on a residential tenant who is delinquent in paying rent. The landlord may lockout only if (1) the lease expressly authorizes lockout in writing for rent delinquency, (2) the tenant is delinquent, and (3) the landlord has provided advance written notice: locally mailed at least 5 calendar days before the lockout date, OR hand-delivered to the tenant or posted on the inside of the main entry door at least 3 calendar days before. The advance notice must state the proposed lockout date, the amount of rent to pay to prevent lockout, the contact person and street address for payment, and in underlined or bold print the tenant right to receive a new key at any hour regardless of payment.
Texas Notice of Intent to Change Locks at a Glance
Statute
Prop. Code 92.0081
Posted
3 Days Min
Mailed
5 Days Min
Key Right
24/7 Access
Texas Lockout Requirements (Prop. Code 92.0081)
Lockout is only permitted if (1) the lease expressly authorizes lockout for rent delinquency in writing; (2) the tenant is delinquent in rent; (3) the landlord has served advance written notice (3 days posted or 5 days mailed); AND (4) the lockout is not on a day or day before a day the landlord office is closed for half a day or more. Tenant retains an absolute right to a new key at any hour regardless of payment status.
How to Use the Texas Notice of Intent to Change Locks
Identify when the notice is required
Verify the lease authorizes lockout for rent delinquency in writing. If the lease is silent, lockout is NOT permitted — you must instead pursue eviction through the JP court.
Prepare the notice
Prepare the advance notice. It must state: (A) the earliest proposed lockout date; (B) the amount of rent to pay to prevent lockout; (C) the contact person name and street address (or on-site management office) for payment during normal business hours; and (D) in underlined or bold print, the tenant right to receive a new key at any hour regardless of payment.
Serve the notice
Serve the advance notice via one of three methods: (1) locally mail at least 5 calendar days before the proposed lockout; (2) hand-deliver to the tenant at least 3 calendar days before; or (3) post on the inside of the main entry door at least 3 calendar days before. Retain proof.
Follow statutory timeline
Wait the required calendar days. Do NOT change locks on a day or the day immediately before a day the landlord office is closed for half a day or more (i.e., before weekends, holidays, or limited-hours days). If tenant pays in full before the lockout date, do not change locks.
Document the process
When changing locks, also post a SECOND notice on the tenant front door per 92.0081(c) with: (1) a 24-hour location or 2-hour-callback phone number for the new key; (2) statement that the landlord must provide the key at any hour regardless of payment; and (3) the amount of rent and other charges owed.
Generate the Texas Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Texas notice of intent to change locks. Service should comply with Tex. Prop. Code Section 92.0081(d)(3) (mailed or hand-delivered or posted); retain proof of delivery.
Purpose of this Texas notice
This is the ADVANCE notice required by Prop. Code 92.0081(d). It informs the tenant of the proposed lockout date and gives the tenant a chance to pay and prevent lockout. After actual lockout occurs, a SEPARATE post-lockout notice required by 92.0081(c) must be posted on the front door with 24-hour key access information.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Lockout Details
Lease must authorize lockout
Lockout is only permitted if the lease expressly contains the landlord right to change locks for rent delinquency, in writing. If the lease is silent, lockout is NOT permitted — you must instead pursue eviction through the JP court.
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Texas Notice
Texas Property Code Section 92.0081 permits residential landlords to change door locks on a tenant who is delinquent in paying rent only under strict statutory conditions. The lease must expressly authorize lockout for rent delinquency in writing. The tenant must be delinquent. The landlord must serve advance written notice: 5 calendar days minimum if locally mailed, or 3 calendar days minimum if hand-delivered to the tenant or posted on the inside of the main entry door. The advance notice must state (A) the earliest proposed lockout date, (B) the amount of rent to pay to prevent lockout, (C) the contact person name and street address for payment, and (D) in underlined or bold print the tenant absolute right to receive a new key at any hour regardless of payment status. After actual lockout, the landlord must post a separate notice on the tenant front door under 92.0081(c) with a 24-hour key access location or 2-hour-callback phone number, a statement of the unconditional key right, and the delinquent amount. Lockout cannot occur on a day or the day immediately before a day the landlord office is closed for half a day or more. Violation exposes the landlord to civil penalties under 92.0081: one month rent, $1,000 statutory damages, court costs, attorney fees, and a tenant writ of re-entry. Lockout is NOT eviction; it is intended to prompt communication and payment. For serious delinquencies, pursue eviction through the JP court instead.
Texas Statutory Requirements
- Statute: Tex. Prop. Code Section 92.0081(d)
- Lease must authorize lockout in writing for rent delinquency
- Tenant must be delinquent in rent
- Advance notice: 5 calendar days if locally mailed; 3 calendar days if hand-delivered or posted
- Notice content: proposed lockout date, amount due, contact for payment
- Underlined/bold print: tenant right to a new key at any hour regardless of payment
- No lockout on or before closed-office days (weekends, holidays, limited-hours days)
- Post-lockout notice required on tenant front door per 92.0081(c)
Delivery Methods
- Locally mail at least 5 calendar days before the proposed lockout
- Hand-deliver to tenant at least 3 calendar days before
- Post inside main entry door at least 3 calendar days before
- Retain proof — mailing receipt, signed acknowledgment, or dated photograph of posting
Common Mistakes
- Locking out without lease authorization — violation exposes the landlord to civil penalties
- Insufficient advance notice — 5 days mailed / 3 days posted minimum
- Missing the underlined/bold key-right statement
- Locking out on a closed-office day
- Failing to post the 92.0081(c) post-lockout notice with 24-hour key access info
- Refusing to provide a new key when the tenant requests one — absolute tenant right
- Treating lockout as eviction — it is not; full eviction requires JP court process
Best Practices
- Confirm lease authorization in writing before proceeding
- Use the maximum advance notice period (5 days mailed is safest)
- Include all four required elements: date, amount, contact, key-right (bold/underline)
- Schedule lockout for a regular business day
- Prepare the post-lockout notice in advance (24-hour key location or 2-hour-callback phone)
- Have keys ready — tenant has absolute right to key at any hour
- Document service — mailing receipt, photograph of posted notice, etc.
- Consider full eviction instead for serious delinquencies — lockout is a payment-prompt, not a removal
Bottom line
Texas lockout under Prop. Code 92.0081 requires: (1) lease authorization in writing; (2) tenant delinquency; (3) advance written notice (5 days mailed or 3 days posted/hand-delivered); (4) the four required notice elements including the bold/underlined key-right statement; (5) a second post-lockout notice under 92.0081(c). Tenant has an absolute right to a key at any hour regardless of payment. Lockout is not eviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Texas notice of intent to change locks required?
A Texas notice of intent to change locks is required by Property Code 92.0081(d) before a landlord may change door locks on a delinquent residential tenant. The advance notice must be served 5 calendar days before lockout if locally mailed, or 3 calendar days before if hand-delivered or posted. The lease must also expressly authorize lockout for rent delinquency in writing.
What must the advance notice contain?
The advance notice must state (A) the earliest proposed lockout date, (B) the amount of rent to pay to prevent lockout, (C) the contact person name and street address for payment during normal business hours, and (D) in underlined or bold print the tenant right to receive a new key at any hour regardless of whether rent is paid.
How must the notice be delivered?
Three permitted methods under 92.0081(d)(3): (1) locally mail at least 5 calendar days before lockout, (2) hand-deliver to tenant at least 3 calendar days before, or (3) post on the inside of the main entry door at least 3 calendar days before. Retain proof of service.
What are the landlord and tenant obligations?
Lockout permits temporary exclusion only. The landlord must provide a new key to the tenant at any hour, regardless of payment. The tenant must be allowed to retrieve personal property. After lockout, a second notice must be posted on the front door under 92.0081(c) with 24-hour key access info (an on-site 24-hour location or a 2-hour-callback phone number).
Who pays for the locksmith and new key?
The landlord generally bears the cost of locksmith services for the lock change. The tenant retains an absolute statutory right to a new key without payment. The lease may not require payment as a condition of receiving a new key.
What are common mistakes?
Common mistakes include locking out without lease authorization, insufficient advance notice, missing the underlined/bold key-right statement, locking out on a closed-office day, failing to post the post-lockout notice with 24-hour key access info, and refusing keys when requested. Violations expose the landlord to civil penalties: one month rent, $1,000 statutory damages, court costs, attorney fees, and a tenant writ of re-entry.
Screen Texas tenants thoroughly before move-in
Bedbug issues are easier to manage when tenants follow inspection procedures and report quickly. Tenant Screening Background Check has been verifying renters since 2004 — credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment — across all 50 states and DC.
Related Resources
Published by Tenant Screening Background Check
Established 2004 · 20+ Years · All U.S. States & Territories · Statute-Based · Attorney-Reviewed
A Private Eye Reports™ service trusted by landlords, property managers, and attorneys.
