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HB 1247

Relating to the interruption of utility service by a residential landlord.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Erin Zwiener

HB 1247 restricts Texas residential landlords' ability to shut off tenant utilities, establishing legal protections against service interruption as an eviction tactic or coercive measure.

Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
#propertyinterests--landlord&tenant(i0610) #utilities--general(i0830)
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Bill Summary · HB 1247

Legislative bill overview

HB 1247 addresses regulations governing when and how residential landlords can interrupt utility services to tenants. The bill establishes legal parameters and protections around utility shutoffs, likely requiring notice periods, limiting circumstances for interruption, or establishing tenant remedies. This appears designed to prevent landlords from using utility cutoffs as an eviction tool or coercive measure.

Why is this important

Utility interruption is a practical hardship that can force tenant displacement without formal eviction proceedings, potentially affecting health, safety, and habitability. Clear statutory rules protect vulnerable tenants while providing landlords with legitimate recourse if tenants fail to pay for utilities they've caused to be installed. The issue intersects tenant rights, landlord-tenant law, and utility regulation.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of landlord authority: Whether landlords retain any right to interrupt service for non-payment or breach, versus complete prohibition
  • Cost allocation: Who pays for utilities and whether tenants' failure to pay creates landlord liability or recovery rights
  • Enforcement mechanisms: What penalties or civil remedies apply if landlords violate restrictions, and whether this affects eviction timelines
  • Applicability: Whether protections cover all residential tenancies or exclude certain property types (commercial, owner-occupied, mobile homes)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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