Full question:
I live in a rented house in Texas. Until now, I used to pay my rent in cash, now all of a sudden my landlord has asked me to pay him the rent via check. I find it inconvenient and prefer cash payment. What does the law say in this regard?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Lease Payments
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
In Texas, landlords must accept cash rent payments unless there is a written lease that specifies payment must be made by check or another traceable method. According to Texas Property Code § 92.011:
- A landlord must accept timely cash rental payments unless the lease states otherwise.
- If a landlord accepts cash, they must provide a written receipt and record the payment date and amount.
- Tenants can sue landlords for violations of this law and may recover court costs, attorney's fees, and damages of either one month's rent or $500 for each violation.
In your case, if there is no written agreement requiring payment by check, your landlord should still accept cash.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.