Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 92.001–92.355 § 92.024
LANDLORD'S DUTY TO PROVIDE COPY OF LEASE.
Operative Text
Sec. 92.024. LANDLORD'S DUTY TO PROVIDE COPY OF LEASE. (a) Not later than the third business day after the date the lease is signed by each party to the lease, a landlord shall provide at least one complete copy of the lease to at least one tenant who is a party to the lease.(b) If more than one tenant is a party to the lease, not later than the third business day after the date a landlord receives a written request for a copy of a lease from a tenant who has not received a copy of the lease under Subsection (a), the landlord shall provide one complete copy of the lease to the requesting tenant.(c) A landlord's failure to provide a complete copy of the lease as described by Subsection (a) or (b) does not invalidate the lease or, subject to Subsection (d), prevent the landlord from prosecuting or defending a legal action or proceeding to enforce the lease.(d) A landlord may not continue to prosecute and a court shall abate an action to enforce the lease, other than an action for nonpayment of rent, only until the landlord provides to a tenant a complete copy of the lease if the tenant submits to the court evidence in a plea in abatement or otherwise that the landlord failed to comply with Subsection (a) or (b).(e) A landlord may comply with this section by providing to a tenant a complete copy of the lease:(1) in a paper format;(2) in an electronic format if requested by the tenant; or(3) by e-mail if the parties have communicated by e-mail regarding the lease. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 588 (S.B. 630), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2014.
Under Texas Property Code § 92.024, a landlord is required to give at least one tenant who signed the lease a complete copy of that lease within three business days of all parties signing. If additional tenants on the lease did not receive a copy under that initial requirement, they may submit a written request, and the landlord must provide a copy within three business days of receiving that request. While failing to provide a copy does not void the lease, a court must pause any landlord-initiated enforcement action—except one for unpaid rent—until the landlord delivers the required copy, if the tenant raises that failure as a defense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Texas Property Code § 92.024 generally maintain a workflow that ensures every signed lease is delivered to at least one tenant-party within three business days of full execution. Compliant operators also track written requests from co-tenants who did not receive an initial copy and fulfill those requests within the same three-business-day window. Delivery may be accomplished in paper form, electronically at the tenant's request, or by email when the parties have already been communicating by email about the lease.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Texas Property Code § 92.024 gives tenants the right to receive a complete copy of their signed lease within three business days of execution, and any co-tenant who was not given a copy may request one in writing and expect delivery within three business days. If a landlord fails to comply and later attempts to enforce the lease in court—other than in a nonpayment-of-rent action—a tenant may raise that failure as a defense, and the court is required to pause the proceeding until the landlord provides the copy. Tenants who believe their rights under § 92.024 have been violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available to them.
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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