Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 301.001–301.171 § 301.089
CHARGE.
Operative Text
Sec. 301.089. CHARGE. (a) A charge issued under Section 301.088:(1) must consist of a short and plain statement of the facts on which the commission finds reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur;(2) must be based on the final investigative report; and(3) is not limited to the facts or grounds alleged in the complaint.(b) Not later than the 20th day after the date the commission issues a charge, the commission shall send a copy of the charge with information about the election under Section 301.093 to:(1) each respondent; and(2) each aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed.(c) The commission shall include with a charge sent to a respondent a notice of the opportunity for a hearing under Section 301.111. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Section 301.089 of the Texas Property Code governs the formal charge document that the Texas Commission issues when it finds reasonable cause to believe a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. The charge must contain a clear, concise statement of the supporting facts drawn from the final investigative report, and it is not confined to the specific allegations raised in the original complaint. Within 20 days of issuing the charge, the Commission must send copies to all respondents and to the aggrieved persons on whose behalf the complaint was filed, along with information about election rights and hearing opportunities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 301.089, a property owner or manager named as a respondent in a fair housing investigation should expect to receive a formal charge document within 20 days of its issuance if the Commission finds reasonable cause. Compliant operators familiarize themselves with the charge's factual allegations, which may go beyond the original complaint, and take note of the accompanying notice describing the opportunity for a hearing under Section 301.111. Keeping organized records of all communications with the Commission and understanding the election process described in Section 301.093 are practices associated with effective compliance management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you filed a fair housing complaint and the Commission finds reasonable cause, § 301.089 entitles you, as an aggrieved person, to receive a copy of the formal charge within 20 days of its issuance. The charge will outline the factual basis for the Commission's finding and include information about the election process under Section 301.093, which determines whether the matter proceeds through an administrative hearing or civil court. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help you understand what the charge means for your situation and what options are generally available to aggrieved persons at this stage.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation