Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 301.001–301.171 § 301.154
EFFECT OF RELIEF GRANTED.
Operative Text
Sec. 301.154. EFFECT OF RELIEF GRANTED. Relief granted under this subchapter does not affect a contract, sale, encumbrance, or lease that:(1) is consummated before the granting of the relief; and(2) involves a bona fide purchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant who did not have actual notice of the filing of a complaint or civil action under this chapter. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Section 301.154 of the Texas Property Code limits the reach of any legal relief awarded under the fair housing subchapter. Specifically, a court's remedy cannot unwind or invalidate a contract, sale, mortgage, or lease that was completed before the relief was granted, as long as the other party—whether a buyer, lender, or tenant—had no actual knowledge that a fair housing complaint or civil action had been filed. In other words, innocent third parties who completed a transaction without notice of pending litigation are shielded from having that transaction later undone.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Tex. Prop. Code § 301.154 should be aware that once a fair housing complaint or civil action is filed, any subsequent transaction involving a party who has actual notice of that filing may not enjoy the protection this section provides. Compliant operators generally maintain clear records of when transactions are consummated and what information was disclosed to or known by the other party at that time. Understanding this provision helps operators assess how pending fair housing proceedings may interact with ongoing or future leasing and sales activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Tex. Prop. Code § 301.154, tenants who entered into a lease without actual knowledge of a pending fair housing complaint or civil action are generally protected from having that lease invalidated by relief later granted in the case. If you believe your housing situation involves a fair housing violation, tenant-rights organizations in Texas can help you understand how this provision may interact with your lease and any complaint process. Tenants may also explore filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or pursuing a civil action, keeping in mind that the timing and notice elements of § 301.154 can be relevant to how relief is ultimately applied.
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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