Roughly 43 percent of Plano households rent, and the question we hear most from them is simple: can anyone make my landlord deal with this mold? The answer takes a few paragraphs, because Texas handles it through the general repair law rather than a mold statute. This guide walks through what the law says, how to give notice that counts, who pays, and where to get help. It is general information, not legal advice.
Plano Mold Experts is a free quote service connecting Plano and Collin County tenants, landlords and homeowners with independent, TDLR-licensed Texas mold assessment and remediation companies. We are not a law firm, a housing agency or a contractor.
Does Texas have a landlord mold law?
No. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which licenses mold assessors and remediators, says it directly in its 2025 consumer sheet: current Texas law does not require landlords or property owners to inspect for or clean mold, and TDLR cannot require a landlord or anyone else to clean or remove it.
That surprises people who have read about mold laws in other states. In Texas, the mold statute (Occupations Code chapter 1958) governs who may do mold work and how. It does not tell landlords when they must do it.
What Property Code 92.052 does require
The law that does apply is the general repair duty in Texas Property Code section 92.052. In plain terms, a landlord shall make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition if:
- the tenant gives notice of the condition to the person to whom rent is normally paid;
- the tenant is not delinquent on rent when the notice is given; and
- the condition materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.
The statute does not name mold. But mold growing from a roof leak, a burst pipe, a sewage backup or an AC unit that keeps a bedroom wet is the kind of condition that can materially affect health or safety, and the underlying leak almost always is. The landlord has no duty under 92.052 to fix a condition the tenant or a guest caused, unless it was normal wear and tear.
Put it in writing, every time. The statute only requires written notice if your written lease says so, and most Texas leases do. TDLR's advice is to notify the landlord in writing and send it by certified mail. Keep a copy, add dated photos, and describe the water source as well as the mold. A text message is better than nothing, but a letter you can prove was delivered is what holds up later.
How to give notice that works
Check your lease
Find the repair-request clause and the address or portal it names. Follow it exactly, then send the certified letter as well.
Describe the condition, not just the mold
"Water is coming through the bathroom ceiling and black spots are spreading across about three square feet of drywall" is more useful than "there is mold." Name the leak, the room, the size and the date you first noticed it.
Say what you want
Ask for the leak to be fixed and the damaged material to be removed or cleaned. If anyone in the home has symptoms, say so and see a doctor; do not diagnose the mold yourself.
Keep paying rent
The repair duty depends on you being current. Pay on time and keep the receipts.
Give a reasonable time, then follow up in writing
What counts as reasonable depends on the severity and the repair. A sewage leak is not a two-week item. If nothing happens, send a second notice that refers to the first.
Who hires the mold company, and what rules apply
The landlord does. A tenant cannot authorize tear-out on someone else's property, and the companies we connect people with will generally want the owner's or manager's approval before starting. What you can do is get quotes and forward them, which turns "we'll look into it" into a number.
The Texas rules then depend on the building:
| Situation | Texas rule (Occ. Code 1958.102; 16 TAC 78.30) |
|---|---|
| Less than 25 contiguous square feet of mold | No license needed for whoever does the cleanup; good practice still applies (fix the water, contain dust, no bleach-and-paint shortcuts). |
| 25 contiguous sq ft or more in a building with 10 or more dwelling units | Must be done by a licensed mold remediator, with a written protocol from a separate licensed assessor, TDLR notification, containment, a clearance assessment and a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. |
| 25 sq ft or more in a property the owner holds with fewer than 10 units | The owner or their own employee may do the work unlicensed on their own property; if they hire a company, that company must be licensed. |
Two practical points follow. First, in a large complex, "maintenance will wipe it down" is not compliant once the area reaches 25 square feet. Second, whatever the size, bleach on drywall without fixing the leak is not a lasting fix; TDLR says so in its own FAQ. For what a licensed job involves, see apartment, condo and commercial mold in Plano.
What happened in Plano in October 2025
As reported by local news, the City of Plano obtained a court order in late October 2025 requiring tenants of an apartment complex to move out over mold, sewage leaks and the loss of utility service, displacing up to about 200 people. The path to that outcome ran through city code compliance and the courts, not through a mold agency. If your building has leaks, sewage or utility failures, code compliance is a real lever even though TDLR is not.
Where to get help in Collin County
- City code compliance for the city your unit is in (Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson and the others each have their own office). They inspect for housing code violations.
- Your local health department, which TDLR lists as a resource for tenants.
- Texas Attorney General tenant rights page and the Texas Tenant Advisor site for plain-language explanations of chapter 92.
- State Bar of Texas lawyer referral at (800) 252-9690, or a legal aid office if you qualify.
- TDLR at tdlr.texas.gov to verify a company's license or report unlicensed mold work.
If you are the landlord reading this
A written repair request is the clock starting. Fixing the leak first, then dealing with the mold properly, is cheaper than the alternative and keeps the Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation on file for your insurer and any future buyer. Published ranges put a bathroom job at $500 to $1,500 and larger areas at $10 to $25 per square foot; see the Plano cost guide. Independent, TDLR-licensed companies quote through this site for free; see also mold removal and remediation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withhold rent because of mold in Texas?
Texas does not give tenants a general right to stop paying rent, and 92.052 only applies while you are current on rent. Chapter 92 of the Property Code does set out specific remedies after a landlord fails to repair, such as ending the lease, repair-and-deduct within limits, or a court action, but each has strict notice steps. Talk to a lawyer, Texas Tenant Advisor or a legal aid office before you stop paying anything.
Can I break my lease because of mold in Texas?
Possibly, if the landlord fails to repair a condition that materially affects health or safety after proper notice, but only by following the steps in Property Code chapter 92 exactly. Moving out without doing so can leave you owing rent. Get legal advice first, and keep every written notice, photo and reply.
Who pays for mold remediation in a Texas rental?
Usually the landlord, because the duty to repair the condition sits with the owner and the tenant cannot authorize work on property they do not own. The exception is a condition the tenant caused. Companies that receive a tenant's request will generally need the landlord's approval before starting, so a quote is something to forward, not something to pay for yourself.
Will the City of Plano or TDLR inspect my apartment for mold?
TDLR licenses mold assessors and remediators but says it cannot require a landlord to clean or remove mold. City code compliance can inspect for housing code violations such as leaks and sewage, which is how the October 2025 evacuation of a Plano complex came about, as reported by local news. Call Plano code compliance for a unit in Plano, or your own city's office elsewhere in Collin County.
Get a quote to forward to your landlord
Tenants, landlords and property managers across Plano and Collin County can request free quotes from independent, TDLR-licensed mold companies. Describe the unit, the water source and roughly how much mold you see, and the companies reply directly. You can also call (972) 472-8749. General information only, not legal advice.