Withholding back rent from security deposit

[Douglas Rice]

I have a tenant with a substantial security deposit who stopped paying rent. When they do leave can I withhold the back rent from their security deposit? It is larger than rent for the duration of their lease term remaining. I’m considering just leaving them alone if I’m gonna get the money either way.

This question is specific to Texas.

[Kyle J.]

You can deduct back rent owed from a tenant's security deposit. 

The Texas law that addresses the return of security deposits can be found here: http://texaspropertycode.org/chapter-92-texas-property-code.html (click on "Subchapter C. Security Deposits")