3-day notice to vacate (Dallas-Fort Worth landlord)
Legal advice recommended before use.
Before filing an eviction (forcible detainer) suit in Texas, a landlord must give the tenant written notice to vacate. Under Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005, at least 3 days' notice is the statutory default — but the lease may specify a different period, shorter or longer, and if it does, the lease controls. Confirm the notice period in the lease before serving this notice. After the notice period expires, the landlord may file suit in the Justice of the Peace (JP) court for the precinct where the property is located.
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Keep the broader eviction process high-level: after the notice period, the case is filed in the JP court for the precinct where the property is located. This is a template, not legal advice — many landlords have an attorney handle eviction filings.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days always the required notice period in Texas?
No — 3 days is only the statewide default under Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005 when the lease doesn't say otherwise. Many Texas leases specify a different period (shorter or longer), and when the lease addresses it, the lease controls instead of the default.
What happens after the notice period expires?
The landlord may then file a forcible detainer (eviction) suit in the Justice of the Peace (JP) court for the precinct where the property sits, under Tex. Prop. Code Chapter 24.
Do I need to state a reason on the notice to vacate?
Practices vary; including the reason (nonpayment, lease violation, or end of tenancy) helps make the notice clear and supports the eviction filing if it comes to that.
How is this different for a Dallas versus Fort Worth property?
The Property Code notice-to-vacate rules are statewide; we are not aware of a verified city-specific ordinance changing this notice requirement for either Dallas or Fort Worth, so treat this as the same statewide process either way.
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