Frequently Asked Questions

The process begins by serving the tenant a written Notice to Vacate. Under Texas Property Code §24.005, you must give at least 3 days' notice (unless your lease specifies otherwise). After the notice period expires, you can file an eviction suit at the Justice of the Peace court in the precinct where the property is located. Read our complete step-by-step guide for more details.

Court filing fees typically range from $50–$120 depending on the county. If you hire NTX Eviction to handle the process, our flat-rate service fees cover everything from notice preparation through court representation. See our detailed cost breakdown or call us at 214-206-4229 for a free consultation and quote.

Yes. In Texas, tenants without a written lease are considered month-to-month tenants. You must still serve a proper Notice to Vacate — at least 30 days for month-to-month tenancies under Texas Property Code §91.001, unless there is a different agreement.

A Notice to Vacate is a written document informing the tenant they must leave the property. Texas law allows three delivery methods: (1) in person to the tenant or anyone over 16 at the premises, (2) by regular mail, or (3) by affixing it to the inside of the main entry door. Learn more about notice requirements and common mistakes.

Absolutely not. Self-help evictions — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings — are illegal in Texas. Only a constable with a court-issued Writ of Possession can legally remove a tenant. Illegal lockouts can expose landlords to liability for damages.

If the Notice to Vacate doesn't comply with Texas law or your lease terms, the court will likely dismiss the eviction case. You would then need to re-serve a proper notice and restart the process, costing additional time and money. This is why professional notice preparation is so valuable.

If uncontested, the process typically takes 3–4 weeks from notice to possession. The 3-day notice period is followed by filing and a hearing (10–21 days). If the tenant appeals, it can add 1–3 months. Contested cases with appeals can take 2–4 months total.

Both the landlord and tenant appear before the Justice of the Peace. The landlord must prove: (1) they have the right to possession, (2) proper notice was given, and (3) the tenant failed to comply. The judge issues a ruling, and if in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is granted.

If the tenant fails to appear, the judge will typically issue a default judgment in favor of the landlord. The tenant then has 5 days to appeal. If no appeal is filed, you can request a Writ of Possession to have the constable remove the tenant.

If the tenant files an appeal within 5 days, the case moves to County Court for a de novo trial (a completely new hearing). The tenant may be required to post an appeal bond or pay rent into the court registry during the appeal. Having professional representation at the county court level is highly recommended. Read more about what landlords need to know about appeals.

A Writ of Possession is a court order directing the constable to remove the tenant from the property. After issuance, the constable posts a 24-hour notice on the property. After 24 hours, the constable returns to physically remove the tenant and their belongings, restoring possession to the landlord. Read our detailed guide to the writ process.

You can request a Writ of Possession after the 5-day appeal period has expired and no appeal has been filed. The constable typically executes the writ within a few days of issuance, though timelines vary by county and constable workload.

We serve the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, and Grayson counties. This covers cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Arlington, Irving, Garland, Mesquite, and many more.

Individual landlords can represent themselves in Justice of the Peace court. However, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships must be represented by an attorney. Even for individual landlords, professional eviction services significantly reduce errors and improve outcomes.

We specialize exclusively in Texas evictions. Our flat-rate pricing, fast turnaround, and hands-on approach mean you get expert guidance without the unpredictable hourly billing of a general practice attorney. We handle everything from notice to possession so you can focus on your business.