How long before eviction in Texas?

Minimal protection rating(provisional)Last verified 2026-09-21

Law change in effect or pending. SB 38 (89R) applies to eviction suits filed on or after 2026-01-01

At a glance

Grace period before a late fee: Not verified
Late fee cap: Not verified
Pay-or-quit notice: 3 calendar days
Filing to judgment: 10 calendar days
Wait before the writ can be executed: 6 calendar days
Can paying stop it before judgment?: Yes
Can paying stop it after judgment?: No
Lockouts without a court order banned?: Not verified
Record sealing available?: No
Right to counsel: none
Fastest lawful timeline: 19 days

Not legal advice. This page reports what the state statute says as of the last-verified date. It does not describe how a particular court applies it, and it does not account for your lease, local ordinances, or the facts of your case. If you have received a notice or a court summons, contact a legal aid organisation listed below.

Can I stop it by paying?

Before judgment: Yes. Only via the pay-or-vacate notice, which is mandatory only for first-time-late tenants

After judgment: No.

Behind on utilities in Texas too? See Texas's shutoff protection rules.

Where to get help

Sources

Tex. Prop. Code 24.005, as amended by SB 38 (89R), eff. 2026-01-01
TRCP 510.18(g)(1)
TRCP 510.8(b)(10), trial 10-21 days after filing
Primary statute · Court self-help