Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.102
SEIZURE AND SALE OF PROPERTY TO RECOVER EXPENSES.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.102. SEIZURE AND SALE OF PROPERTY TO RECOVER EXPENSES. A municipality may foreclose a lien on property under this subchapter in a proceeding relating to the property brought under Subchapter E, Chapter 33, Tax Code. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1017, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
Under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.102, a municipality that has placed a lien on property—typically after paying for demolition, repair, or cleanup work—has the legal authority to foreclose that lien through a tax-lien foreclosure proceeding governed by Subchapter E of Chapter 33 of the Texas Tax Code. This means the municipality can ultimately force the sale of the property to recover the money it spent. The provision ties the municipal lien-recovery process to an established court-based foreclosure procedure rather than creating a separate enforcement mechanism.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to municipal remediation orders in Texas should be aware that under § 214.102, any unpaid municipal lien for demolition, repair, or abatement costs can be enforced through a formal foreclosure action, potentially resulting in the forced sale of the property. Operators who receive notice of a municipal lien generally act promptly to satisfy the debt or negotiate a resolution before foreclosure proceedings are initiated. Keeping records of all municipal notices and lien filings related to a property is a standard practice for managing this exposure.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 214.102 primarily affects property ownership and title rather than the day-to-day rental relationship, but tenants should understand that a municipal foreclosure action on a rental property can affect housing stability. If a tenant learns that a municipality has filed a lien or initiated foreclosure proceedings under § 214.102 against their rental property, tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help clarify what rights occupants may have during such a process. Tenants may also wish to monitor public records or court filings related to their address to stay informed about any pending municipal actions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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