Lease ending in Fort Worth? What to do before you move

The short answer: Find the notice date in your lease now, start looking about 60 days before you move, and decide between renting again and buying on purpose instead of by default. This fall I listed rental homes in Fort Worth and fielded a lot of questions from renters. These are the answers I gave most often.

Updated October 29, 2026.

How much notice do you have to give your landlord in Texas?

Usually at least 30 days in writing, but your lease sets the exact rule, so check it first. This is the one that catches people. Many Fort Worth rentals, especially single-family homes, use the Texas REALTORS residential lease. That lease renews automatically, month to month, if neither side gives written notice in time. Unless your lease says otherwise, that notice is due at least 30 days before the lease ends.

Apartment leases have their own notice rules, and some require more than 30 days. Either way, the date is written in your lease. Find it today, put it on your calendar, and give notice in writing.

When should you start looking for a rental in Fort Worth?

About 60 days before your move. Owners almost never hold a home for months. Most want it filled within a few weeks of listing it. So if your lease ends in June, a home you love in January will be gone by spring.

That 60 day window is the sweet spot. You will see what is actually available for your date, and you will have time to compare.

What do Fort Worth landlords require to rent a house?

Every owner sets their own criteria, so ask before you tour. Common ones:

• A minimum credit score
• Income, often stated as a multiple of the monthly rent
• Rental history, and sometimes a reference from your current landlord
• An application fee per adult
• Pet rules, pet fees and breed limits

Asking first saves you an application fee on a home you were never going to qualify for.

How do security deposits work in Texas?

In Texas, the owner sets the deposit amount, and state law does not cap it at one month's rent. So a deposit higher than a month's rent is legal.

What Texas law does set is the refund. After you move out, the landlord generally has 30 days to return your deposit or give you a written list of deductions. Normal wear and tear is not supposed to come out of it. Give your forwarding address in writing, because it matters for that timeline. Your lease will also spell out its own move-out rules, so read that section before you give notice.

Do Texas landlords have to accept housing vouchers?

No. In Texas, whether to accept a housing voucher is each owner's choice. Cities cannot require it. Ask before you tour, not at the application. If you work with me, tell me at the start and I will only send you homes where the owner has said yes.

Should you rent or buy in Fort Worth right now?

For a lot of people, renting one more year is the right call in 2026, but it depends on your numbers. A lot of renters feel like they should be buying. Some should. A lot should not, at least not this year.

Here is the comparison. At the 30 year rate of 7.32% (Freddie Mac, week of October 22, 2026), a home at Fort Worth's September median of $326,500 with 10% down is about $2,019 a month in principal and interest. Property taxes, insurance, maintenance and possibly an HOA come on top of that. For comparison, the median apartment rent in Fort Worth was $1,336 a month in Apartment List's October 2026 report, though renting a house usually costs more than an apartment.

Put your current rent next to that full number. If buying costs a lot more each month and you might move in two or three years, renting another year is a smart answer, not a failure. If the numbers are closer than you expected, it is worth a conversation with a lender, with no commitment.

Can a real estate agent help you rent a house in Fort Worth?

Yes. Most people think agents only help buyers and sellers. I help renters find homes too. I can search the MLS for rentals that do not show up on the big apps, ask owners the qualifying questions before you spend money on applications, and check the lease before you sign it.

I work to have the landlord cover my fee, so it does not come out of your pocket. When an owner will not, we talk about it before you sign anything.

And if you are new to town and want to get out this season, here is my Fort Worth holiday guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice do I need to give before my lease ends in Texas?

It depends on your lease. The Texas REALTORS residential lease requires written notice at least 30 days before the lease ends unless the lease states a different period, and renews month to month if neither side gives notice. Apartment leases set their own notice rules.

Can a Texas landlord charge a security deposit higher than one month's rent?

Yes. Texas law does not cap the amount of a security deposit. It does require the landlord to refund it, or give a written list of deductions, generally within 30 days after you move out.

Do Texas landlords have to accept housing vouchers?

No. In Texas, accepting a housing voucher is each owner's choice, and cities cannot require it.

When should I start looking for a rental in Fort Worth?

About 60 days before your move. Owners rarely hold a home for months, so looking much earlier usually means falling for a home that will be gone by your move date.

Can a real estate agent help me rent a home?

Yes. An agent can search MLS rentals, check owner criteria before you apply, and review the lease. Ask how their fee works before you start.

Sources

• Lease renewal and notice: Texas REALTORS, "How much notice is needed to terminate a residential lease?" Texas Realtor magazine, March 2022
• Security deposit refund timeline and deductions: Texas Property Code, Chapter 92, Subchapter C (§92.103 and related sections)
• Housing vouchers: Texas Local Government Code §250.007
• Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 22, 2026
• Fort Worth median apartment rent: Apartment List Rent Index, October 2026 report
• Fort Worth median sale price: Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS via the Texas REALTORS Data Relevance Project, September 2026
• Payment example: standard 30 year amortization on a $293,850 loan, principal and interest only

Riley Moyano

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Fort Worth housing market update, October 2026: what August's numbers say