Evictions in Texas are Soaring in 2024: How To Reduce Risks and Protect Your Rental Income

Evictions have spiked across Texas in 2024 and are surging past pre-pandemic levels in many major cities. According to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab research, there have been almost 83,000 eviction filings in the past year for Houston alone – a 42% increase when compared with the average pre-pandemic level.  

Other cities in the Lone Star State facing an increase in eviction filings in the past year include:

• Austin, up 18% with 10,850 filings
• Fort Worth, up 25% with 47,055 filings

Of the cities tracked in Texas by Eviction Lab, only Dallas is down by 6% in the past year with 38,017 filings. So what is going on? News reports point to the end of COVID-19 relief measures combined with years of statewide rent increases putting financial pressure on renters. 

As part of our efforts to improve and innovate the renting experience, Belong doesn't want to see any member of our network in these statistics – homeowner or resident. So here’s what we’re doing to reduce rental evictions in Texas. 

3 ways Belong protects rental income for homeowners in Texas 

1. Long-term resident retention

Everyone needs a place to call home. With homeownership out of reach for many Americans, there is an increasing need for livable long-term rental housing. As part of our mission to create authentic belonging experiences, we focus on finding people who will love your home like you do. We offer them 24/7 support to answer their questions and resolve issues fast. We give them hassle-free payment options, and incentivise on-time payments. 

As a result, 83% of Belong residents renew their 12-month lease agreements. This provides a feeling of belonging, while providing stability and peace of mind to homeowners. 

Related: Belong's Big Texas Launch: Welcome Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

2. Guaranteed rent

The bills don’t stop when rent goes unpaid – a disruption to your cash flow that can quickly put you behind. This is often why homeowners want to act fast on evictions for non-payment. In Texas, an eviction notice can be filed after just three days of non-payment of rent, with no need to allow the tenant to catch up.

But Belong homeowners don’t fall behind so easily. Our homeowners know exactly how much their rental income is and when they’re getting it, no matter what. This is because we offer guaranteed rent – paid on time, even if residents don’t. 

We work with residents to get their rent up to date, with no disruption to homeowner cash flow. We also allow residents to split up big costs like security deposits and insurance to reduce their likelihood of being burdened by the cost of rent. 

Related: How Guaranteed Rent is Changing Property Management Forever

3. Eviction safety net of up to $15,000

If Belong ever did need to evict someone we placed, there’s a financial safety net in place. Most property management companies offer packages called ‘eviction protection’ for an extra cost. If you take a look at the fine print, they are usually restricted to court filing fees with a long list of exclusions. Those costs won’t set you back much more than what you paid for the coverage in the first place. 

Belong doesn’t upcharge for support when you need it most and evictions are no exception. To give our homeowners confidence and peace of mind in long-term renting, Belong-initiated evictions are covered for up to $15,000 in legal costs — as much as 5-10x what the average property management package is capped at. 

Related: How To Avoid Costly Evictions With Belong’s Game-Changing Safety Net For Homeowners

FAQS on evictions in Texas

How much does it cost to evict a tenant in Texas?

Fees are set at a county level and will vary depending on your personal situation. For example, a court filing fee in Travis County, Austin is $139.00 for the first person and $85 for each additional member served. If you get a judgment of possession and the defendant does not appeal, it will cost a further $180 to obtain a Writ of Possession to remove them from the property legally. These fees don’t include legal representation, appeals, or fees for other claims such as suing for rent owed or damages. This is why it’s important to speak to a real estate or legal professional before pursuing any action and to check with local county laws regarding costs. 

How long does the eviction process take in Texas?

On average, the eviction process in Texas takes a minimum of 30 - 35 days, depending on court availability and whether or not the case is straightforward or appealed. 

An example of eviction time and process in Texas:

• Written Notice to vacate: 3 days.
• Filing of the eviction suit: Approx 8 - 10 days.
• Court date is set: Between 10 - 21 days. A hearing cannot take place for at least 10 days from the petition filing date.
• Time to appeal: 5 days from judgment date. If an appeal is filed the hearing will take place after 8 days or more. 
• If evicted, the tenant is given 24 hrs to vacate the premises on the Writ of Possession.

This is a general guide only and should not be considered legal advice. It’s also important to note that the resident can remain in the home until a Writ of Possession is issued and you are legally not allowed to change the locks or shut off utilities to force them out. Only a law enforcement officer can remove a tenant legally. 

A better way to rent out your home in Texas

Working together, we can put people first and change what it means to rent a home in Texas. Belong can help you reach your financial goals through real estate, while also creating lasting, positive impact on innumerable lives for decades to come.

If you’re looking for stability in your rental experience, Belong has you covered. We’re making rental finances predictable by offering guaranteed rent. We’re providing flexible payment options to keep your cash flow steady. And we’re doing it while providing a better way of living for the millions of Americans who rent. 

Interested in learning more about Belong services in Texas? Check out one of our local pages below:

• Austin Property Management
• Dallas/Fort Worth Property Management
• Houston Property Management
• San Antonio Property Management 
• Everywhere else!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Your local city is the best place to find information on local ordinances that apply to you and your rental property.