Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 301.001–301.171 § 301.003
DEFINITIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 301.003. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Aggrieved person" includes any person who:(A) claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice; or(B) believes that the person will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.(2) "Complainant" means a person, including the commission, that files a complaint under Section 301.081.(3) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 302, Sec. 4(3).(4) "Conciliation" means the informal negotiations among an aggrieved person, the respondent, and the commission to resolve issues raised by a complaint or by the investigation of the complaint.(5) "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement resolving the issues in conciliation.(6) "Disability" means a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity, a record of the impairment, or being regarded as having the impairment. The term does not include current illegal use or addiction to any drug or illegal or federally controlled substance and does not apply to an individual because of an individual's sexual orientation or because that individual is a transvestite.(7) "Discriminatory housing practice" means an act prohibited by Subchapter B or conduct that is an offense under Subchapter I.(8) "Dwelling" means any:(A) structure or part of a structure that is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families; or(B) vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location of a structure or part of a structure described by Paragraph (A).(9) "Family" includes a single individual.(10) "Respondent" means:(A) a person accused of a violation of this chapter in a complaint of discriminatory housing practice; or(B) a person identified as an additional or substitute respondent under Section 301.084 or an agent of an additional or substitute respondent.(11) "To rent" includes to lease, sublease, or let, or to grant in any other manner, for a consideration, the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.(12) "Person" means:(A) an individual;(B) a corporation, partnership, association, unincorporated organization, labor organization, mutual company, joint-stock company, and trust; and(C) a legal representative, a trustee, a trustee in a case under Title 11, U.S.C., a receiver, and a fiduciary. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 17.003, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., Ch. 302 (H.B. 2933), Sec. 4(3), eff. March 19, 2004.
Section 301.003 of the Texas Property Code establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 301, the state's fair housing law. Key terms defined here include 'discriminatory housing practice,' 'dwelling,' 'disability,' 'aggrieved person,' and 'to rent,' each of which shapes how the chapter's protections and prohibitions are interpreted and applied. These definitions set the scope of who is covered, what properties are covered, and what conduct falls within the law's reach.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Texas should be familiar with the definitions in § 301.003, as these terms determine whether a given property, transaction, or party falls under Chapter 301's fair housing requirements. For example, the broad definition of 'to rent'—which encompasses leasing, subleasing, and other arrangements granting occupancy rights for consideration—means that a wide range of rental structures are subject to the chapter's rules. Understanding that 'person' includes corporations, partnerships, and other entities clarifies that fair housing obligations extend to organizational landlords, not just individual owners.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Texas benefit from knowing the definitions in § 301.003, because these terms determine who qualifies for protection under the state's fair housing law. The definition of 'aggrieved person,' for instance, is broad enough to include someone who believes a discriminatory housing practice is about to occur—not just someone who has already been harmed. Tenants who believe they have experienced a discriminatory housing practice as defined in this section may consider filing a complaint under § 301.081 or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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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