If you own a Houston rental from out of state, Texas eviction rules changed for cases filed since January 1, 2026 (SB 38). What belongs in your lease and your underwriting:

1) Trials must be held within 21 days of filing, in JP and county court. An appeal to county court must be heard within 21 days after the transcript and papers arrive.

2) The constable has 5 business days to serve the citation, and 5 business days to serve the writ once it issues.

3) First-time nonpayment now calls for a notice to pay rent or vacate, not a plain notice to vacate. Repeat nonpayment can use either.

4) Email or other electronic notice only counts if it was agreed to in writing. If your lease doesn't say so, your PM needs another delivery method.

A tenant who appeals has to keep paying the lease rent.

What it doesn't fix: properties covered by the federal 30-day notice rule (CARES Act) still have that clock, so check your loan and any subsidy before you count on the faster timeline.

If you're looking at a specific Houston property, drop the zip and price below and I'll tell you what the taxes and flood history look like.