Is it possible in Texas to rent a property for less than a year?

Full question:

I am a resident of New York but am planning to undergo a surgery in Texas. Is it possible to rent a place for less than a year, preferably three to four months to recuperate?

• Category: Landlord Tenant
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Texas

Answer:

Typically, landlords in Texas offer the tenant to lease the property for an initial term or at least six months. However, on the requests of the tenant for a different term of the lease, the landlord and the tenant may mutually agree to a shorter or longer lease period. In your case, you may request for a shorter term of lease citing your medical emergency and if your landlord agrees, then you may lease a property for short term. However, practically it is going to be difficult for you to find a landlord who would be willing to rent out a property for shorter terms.

The relevant statutory provision in this regard is stated below.

Tex. Prop. Code § 94.052 states:
 

“(a) A landlord shall offer the tenant a lease agreement with an initial lease term of at least six months. If the tenant requests a lease agreement with a different lease period, the landlord and the tenant may mutually agree to a shorter or longer lease period. The landlord and the tenant may mutually agree to subsequent lease periods of any length for each renewal of the lease agreement.
 
(b) Except as provided by Section 94.204, regardless of the term of the lease, the landlord must provide notice to the tenant not later than the 60th day before the date of the expiration of the lease if the landlord chooses not to renew the lease. During the applicable period, the tenant must pay all rent and other amounts due under the lease agreement, including late charges, if any, after receiving notice of the nonrenewal.”