Dallas County, Texas: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $20,000 (statewide). E-filing: Yes. Court: Justice of the Peace Court (multiple precincts) - Small Claims. County filing fee: $54 filing fee only, or ~$134 all-in (varies by precinct; +$80 per additional defendant).

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$20,000 (statewide)
County filing fee	$54 filing fee only, or ~$134 all-in (varies by precinct; +$80 per additional defendant)
E-filing	Yes
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)

More than one fee amount is listed; confirm which one applies with the court.

Where to file

Justice of the Peace Court (multiple precincts) - Small Claims

Courthouse city: Dallas

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.

Official court website

Court page check not recorded

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

Rent and deposits in Dallas County

County median gross rent: $1,469 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$1,299
1 bedroom	$1,323
2 bedrooms	$1,528
3 bedrooms	$1,729
4 bedrooms	$2,080

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,528; two months is $3,056. 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 $1,528.

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

Total households in Dallas County: 971,690.

Renter households: 478,237 (49.2% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 4.4%. 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 Dallas County, $1,528 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.

Addison
Balch Springs
Carrollton
Cedar Hill
Cockrell Hill
Combine
Coppell
Dallas
DeSoto
Duncanville
Farmers Branch
Ferris
Garland
Glenn Heights
Grand Prairie
Grapevine
Highland Park
Hutchins
Irving
Lancaster
Lewisville
Mesquite
Ovilla
Richardson
Rowlett

These towns and 6 more are in Dallas County.

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

Free help in Dallas County

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents, including eviction and landlord-tenant matters. Phone is the Dallas office; use the locations directory for regional intake. County list combines the 15 branch pages linked from that directory.
Phone: (214) 748-1234

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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$49, done for you.

We write the letter from the facts you send, mail it by USPS Certified Mail with tracking, and send you the tracking number and a PDF record of what was sent.

Mailed within 2 business days of your completed form, or a full refund.

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

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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 Dallas County?

County filing fee: $54 filing fee only, or ~$134 all-in (varies by precinct; +$80 per additional defendant)

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Texas: 4 years.

Where do I file?

Justice of the Peace Court (multiple precincts) - Small Claims. Courthouse city: Dallas. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.