The Texas House is considering House Bill 32 (HB 32) which seeks to change the eviction process in the state.
The bill introduced on February 27, 2025 would allow landlords to expedite the eviction of unauthorized occupants by filing a motion stating there are no disputed facts in the case, potentially leading to eviction orders without a traditional hearing.
HB 32 requires tenants to respond with a sworn affidavit within three days of receiving an eviction notice.
If tenants fail to respond, landlords could obtain a default eviction ruling. The bill also proposes eliminating the requirement for landlords to issue a notice to vacate, except in cases of nonpayment of rent.
The bill comes as Houston faces rising eviction rates. According to local records, 177,000 eviction filings occurred in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth in 2023.
Eviction filings in Houston alone reached 84,000 in 2023, up from 58,000 before the pandemic. This rise in eviction rates follows the closure of the Texas Eviction Diversion Program in the summer of 2023, which aimed to provide rental and utility assistance.
Supporters of HB 32, including some landlords, argue that the bill would streamline the eviction process and reduce financial losses from prolonged legal battles.
However, tenant advocacy groups have argued the bill could lead to wrongful evictions and increase housing instability by removing existing notice and hearing requirements.
The bill is currently under review by the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
Lawmakers, landlords, and tenant groups continue to discuss the potential impact of HB 32, with critics warning it could worsen the housing crisis by making it easier for landlords to bypass due process.
