Resources & Support
Tenant Resources
Legal aid organizations, hotlines, and helpful information to protect your rights as a Dallas tenant.
Need Immediate Help?
Call these hotlines for urgent tenant assistance
Dallas Area
Local Tenant Organizations
Organizations serving Dallas County tenants with free legal help, workshops, and advocacy.
Texas Tenants' Union
40+ YearsNonprofit organization providing free tenants' rights workshops, organizing assistance, training, and referrals. Workshops cover leases, eviction, deposits, and repairs.
8035 E R L Thornton Fwy, Suite 535, Dallas, TX 75226
Workshops: 2nd or 3rd Monday at 6:30 PM (online)
Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center (DEAC)
Pro bono legal advice and representation for Dallas County tenants facing eviction. Serves all tenants regardless of income, race, immigration status, or native language.
Specializes in eviction defense
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Free legal services for low-income tenants. The Dallas office is their largest branch, handling landlord/tenant matters, public benefits, and real property issues.
Legal Aid Line: (888) 529-5277
Eviction Defense: (855) 548-8457
Walk-in clinics: Thursdays 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP)
Free legal assistance for qualifying Dallas residents. Hosts legal advice clinics throughout the Dallas area for housing, landlord-tenant, and other civil matters.
Dallas Bar Association LegalLine: Wednesdays 4-8 PM (register online by Tuesday noon)
Home Point (Housing Crisis Center)
Homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, tenant legal workshops, and emergency rental/utility assistance for Dallas residents.
Discrimination Help
Fair Housing Resources
If you believe you've experienced housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
City of Dallas Fair Housing Office
Investigates housing discrimination complaints and provides education on fair housing rights within Dallas.
General: (214) 670-5677
Report Violations: 214-670-FAIR (3247)
1500 Marilla Street, Room 1B North, Dallas, TX 75201
HUD Fair Housing (Federal)
File federal Fair Housing Act violation complaints. You have one year after an alleged violation to file.
National Hotline: 1-800-669-9777
Fort Worth Regional: (817) 978-5900
Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division
State agency responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act in Texas.
City Services
Report Code Violations
Report unsafe conditions, code violations, and building issues to the City of Dallas.
Dallas 311
Report code violations, unsafe conditions, and city service issues.
311within Dallas
(214) 671-4431 outside Dallas
Code Compliance
File complaints about building violations, health hazards, and property maintenance.
File OnlineFinancial Help
Emergency Rental Assistance
Organizations that can help with rent, utilities, and emergency housing needs.
Urban League of Greater Dallas
Counseling for tenants facing eviction, referrals to rent assistance funds and grants.
White Rock Center of Hope
Housing support and rent assistance to help Dallas families avoid eviction and maintain utilities.
North Dallas Shared Ministries
Assistance with security deposits and emergency rental expenses.
Legal Framework
Texas Property Code - Key Sections
Important legal protections for Texas tenants you should know.
§92.331 - Retaliation Protection
Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who complain about repairs, join tenant organizations, or exercise their legal rights. Protection lasts 6 months from the date of complaint.
Remedy: One month's rent + $500, actual damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
Read Full Text§92.052-061 - Right to Repairs
Landlords must make repairs affecting health and safety. 7 days is presumed reasonable response time. Tenants can terminate lease, repair-and-deduct, or seek court orders for repairs up to $10,000.
Read Texas repair laws§92.101-110 - Security Deposits
Landlords must return deposits within 30 days. Cannot deduct for normal wear and tear. Must provide itemized list of deductions. These rights cannot be waived in a lease.
Read deposit laws§92.008 - Utility Cutoffs Prohibited
Landlords cannot interrupt water, gas, or electric service to force a tenant out. Only allowed for bona fide repairs, construction, or emergencies.
Read Full CodeTenant Tools
Tools & Calculators
Interactive tools to help you document issues, calculate costs, and protect your rights.
Evidence Portfolio
Build and export documentation of issues for legal use
Letter Generator
Generate professional demand and notice letters
Settlement Calculator
Estimate potential damages and settlement values
AI Rights Chatbot
Get answers to tenant rights questions
Maintenance Tracker
Track repair requests and response times
Case Tracker
Monitor the progress of your case
Rent Calculator
Calculate rent increases and affordability
Deposit Calculator
Calculate expected deposit returns
Rent Increase Tracker
Track and analyze rent increases over time
Utility Cost Tracker
Monitor utility costs and billing issues
Move-In Photo Tool
Document unit condition at move-in
Move-Out Checklist
Ensure you get your deposit back
Lease Comparison
Compare lease terms and identify issues
Inspection Request
Request a city code inspection
Complaint Generator
Generate formal complaints to agencies
Guides
Documentation & Guides
Step-by-step guides to help you navigate tenant issues.
Ready to Take Action?
Start documenting your issues, build your evidence portfolio, or connect with legal help.