Bastrop County, Texas: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $20,000 (statewide). Court: Bastrop County Justice Court - Precinct 1 Place 1.

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$20,000 (statewide)
Statewide filing fee	Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory
E-filing	Not verified
Time limit to sue in Texas	4 years.
State deposit return deadline	30 days after the date the tenant surrenders the premises (possession).
Penalty formula	$100 + 3x the portion wrongfully withheld + reasonable attorney's fees when landlord acts in bad faith; bad faith is presumed if landlord fails to refund or itemize within 30 days (Tex. Prop. Code §92.109). Bad faith required: Yes.
Deposit statute	Tex. Prop. Code §§92.101-92.109 (Subchapter C)

Where to file

Bastrop County Justice Court - Precinct 1 Place 1

Courthouse city: Bastrop

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

State court directory

Court page checked 2026-09-20

See how to file in Texas for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Bastrop County

County median gross rent: $1,342 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$915
1 bedroom	$1,088
2 bedrooms	$1,284
3 bedrooms	$1,560
4 bedrooms	$1,582

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,284; two months is $2,568. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $1,284.

State legal maximum deposit in Texas: No statutory limit on residential security deposits in Texas.

Total households in Bastrop County: 35,164.

Renter households: 8,539 (24.3% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 13.5%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Bastrop County, $1,284 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $20,000 (statewide), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Austin
Bastrop
Elgin
Mustang Ridge
Smithville

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.

Free help in Bastrop County

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Free civil legal advice and representation for eligible low-income residents, including eviction defense and subsidized-housing matters.
Phone: (833) 329-8752

These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.

From letter to filing

Send a Texas security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
Time limit to sue in Texas: 4 years.
Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.

This template uses Texas law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

Choose how to send your letter

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Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the Texas letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
Texas small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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Free Texas template, built from verified state data

Methodology: every statute verified against primary sources. See how verification works.

I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Texas law (Tex. Prop. Code §§92.101-92.109), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after the date the tenant surrenders the premises (possession).

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Bastrop County?

Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Texas: 4 years.

Where do I file?

Bastrop County Justice Court - Precinct 1 Place 1. Courthouse city: Bastrop. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.