This section sets eviction suit service and trial timing rules, and requires tenant notices about default judgment and summary disposition.
Sec. 24.0051. PROCEDURES APPLICABLE IN SUIT TO EVICT AND RECOVER UNPAID RENT. (a) In a suit filed in justice court in which the landlord files a sworn petition seeking judgment against a tenant for possession of the premises and unpaid rent, personal service on the tenant or service on the tenant under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure is procedurally sufficient to support a default judgment for possession of the premises and unpaid rent. (b) A landlord may recover unpaid rent under this section regardless of whether the tenant vacated the premises after the date the landlord filed the sworn petition and before the date the court renders judgment. (c) In a suit to recover possession of the premises, whether or not unpaid rent is claimed, the citation must include the following notice to the tenant: FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR TRIAL MAY RESULT IN A DEFAULT JUDGMENT BEING ENTERED AGAINST YOU. (d) In a suit described by Subsection (c), the citation must include the following notice to the tenant on the first page of the citation in English and Spanish and in conspicuous bold print: SUIT TO EVICT THIS SUIT TO EVICT INVOLVES IMMEDIATE DEADLINES. A TENANT WHO IS SERVING ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY MAY HAVE SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RELIEF RELATED TO THIS SUIT UNDER FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING THE SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT (50 U.S.C. APP. SECTION 501 ET SEQ.), OR STATE LAW, INCLUDING SECTION 92.017, TEXAS PROPERTY CODE. CALL THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-9TEXBAR IF YOU NEED HELP LOCATING AN ATTORNEY. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR LOW-COST LEGAL ASSISTANCE. (e) If the landlord files a motion for summary disposition under Section 24.005106 with the petition, the citation must include the following notice to the tenant on the first page of the citation in English and Spanish and in conspicuous bold print: THE PETITION INCLUDES A MOTION FOR SUMMARY DISPOSITION. IF THE MOTION SHOWS THERE ARE NO GENUINELY DISPUTED FACTS THAT WOULD PREVENT A JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE LANDLORD, THE COURT MAY ENTER JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE LANDLORD WITHOUT A TRIAL UNLESS: (1) NOT LATER THAN THE FOURTH DAY AFTER YOU ARE SERVED WITH THE LANDLORD'S SWORN PETITION, YOU FILE A RESPONSE SETTING OUT SUPPORTING FACTS AND ANY APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS ON WHICH YOUR RESPONSE RELIES; AND (2) THE JUSTICE COURT DETERMINES THAT SERVICE ON YOU WAS PROPER AND, BASED ON THE LANDLORD'S SWORN PETITION AND YOUR RESPONSE, THERE ARE GENUINELY DISPUTED FACTS THAT WOULD PREVENT A JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE LANDLORD. (f) A sheriff or constable, including a deputy sheriff or deputy constable, shall make a diligent effort to serve the citation and petition not later than the fifth business day after the date the petition is filed. If the citation and petition are not served on or before the fifth business day after the date the petition is filed, the landlord may, but is not obligated to, provide for the citation and petition to be served by any other law enforcement officer, including an off-duty officer with appropriate identification, that has received appropriate training in the service of process, eviction procedures, and the execution of writs, as determined by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (g) The court: (1) shall, subject to this subsection, hold the trial of an eviction suit on a date that is not earlier than the 10th day or later than the 21st day after the date the petition is filed; (2) may not hold the trial on a date that is earlier than the fourth day after the date the tenant is served with the petition; and (3) may not postpone the date of a trial for more than seven days unless the parties agree to the postponement in writing. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1464, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 712 (S.B. 439), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 812 (S.B. 1483), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 252 (H.B. 1127), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 6, eff. January 1, 2026.