BEYER'S
TEXAS
PROPERTY CODE
ANNOTATED
with Related Texas Law
ANNOTATIONS BY
GERRY W. BEYER
Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law
Texas Tech University
School of Law
Lubbock, Texas
2010 Edition
WEST@
A Thomson Reuters business
Mat II 40805686
Table of Contents
PROPERTY CODE
TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
pogo
Chapter
I
2
1. General Provisions 2. Nature of Property ....
TITLE 2. CONVEYANCES
5. Conveyances
__
-..
4
TITLE 2-APPENDIX. TEXAS TITLE EXAMINATION
STANDARDS
I. Title Examiner ._._
..
..
II. Marketable Title
Name Variances
_
_
_._ __ .
Execution, Acknowledgment, and Recordation
__
-.-- -._______________
___
.
V. Land Descriptions .
- ----_--..--.
VI. Corporate Conveyances .- "VII. Conveyances Involving Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Limited Liability Companies, and Unincorporated Associations ..
.
.... .....
__
_
_
__ ._ _
VIII. Powers of Attorney __
.
IX. Conveyances Involving Trustees
.
.
X. Capacity to Convey
Decedents'
Estates...........
.
.
XI.
.
.
XII. Bankruptcies
_
.
XIII. Affidavits and Recitals
.
.
XIV. Marital Interests._...........
.
_
.
XV. Liens and Lis Pendens..
.
.
XVI. Foreclosures
III.
IV.
52
53
54
58
62
67
70
73
75
77
80
86
97
100
108
124
TITLE 3. PUBLIC RECORDS
11. Provisions Generally Applicable to Public Records ........
xv
132
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CN~~
12. Recording of Instruments___
.
.
. __ ._
p~
_
13. Effects of Recording _._.-.
__ . __ .. __ .. _
__ .. __ ..
14. Uniform Federal Lien Registration Act. __ .
._
_
15. Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act _.. __ .. _........
137
. ."
152
155
157
TITLE 4. ACTIONS AND REMEDIES
21. Eminent Domain
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Trespass to Try Title.
Partition
__ .. _
.
Forcible Entry and Detainer
.. __ .. __ .. _ _.
Trial of Right of Properry
.
.
Use of a Deceased Individual's Name, Voice, Signature. Photograph, or
Likeness_._.
_ _
__ .
.. __ . __ .. __ .
27. Residential Construction Liability __
_
.
28. Prompt Payment to Contractors and Subcontractors .
29. Forced Sale of Owner's Interest in Certain Real Property as Reimbursement
for Property Taxes Paid By Co-Owner on Owner's Behalf..
162
182
187
190
202
203
210
220
227
TITLE 5. EXEMPT PROPERTY AND UENS
Subtitle A. Property Exempt From Creditors' Claims
41.
42.
43.
44.
Interests in Land ..
Pe""n.l Property
Exempt Public Property
Taxation of Retirement Benefits by Another State
230
239
244
.
.
245
Subtitle B. Liens
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
Provisions Generally Applicable to Liens
.
Judgment Lien
.
.
Mechanic's, Contractor's, or Materialman's Lien
Landlord's Liens -..
Hospital and Emergency Medical SelVices Liens.
Uens Against Mineral Property
Railroad Laborer's Lien._
_ _.
Farm, Factory, and Store Worker's Liens.
Self-SelVice Storage Facility Liens
Newspaper Employee's Lien
_.
Motor Vehicle Mortgagee's Lien
Broker's and Appraiser's Lien on Commercial Real Estate..
Manufactured Home Lien
.
246
257
2fJ7
312
319
324
329
330
332
337
337
338
353
354
70. Miscellaneous liens....
XVI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE 6. UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Chapter
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
Escheat of Property
Abandonment of Personal Property
Property Held by Financial Institutions
Report, Delivery. and Claims Process
Texas Minerals
_
.
poge
371
380
387
.
..
76. Report, Delivery, and Claims Process for Certain Property.
390
413
414
TITLE 6A. PROPERTY LOANED TO MUSEUMS
80. Ownership, Conservation, and Disposition of Property Loaned to Museum _
425
TITLE 7. CONDOMINIUMS
81. Condominiums Created Before Adoption of Uniform Condominium Act
429
82. UniConn Condominium Act
440
.
.
TITLE 8. LANDLORD AND TENANT
91. Provisions Generally Applicable to Landlords and Tenants __
92. Residential Tenancies
93. Commercial Tenancies
.
.__ .
94. Manufactured Home Tenancies
.
__
485
489
556
562
TITLE 9. TRUSTS
Subtitle A. Provisions Generally Applicable to Trusts
101. Provisions Generally Applicable to Trusts
588
Subtitle B. Texas Trust Code: Creation, Operation, And
Termination of Trusts
11l.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
General Provisions __
_
._.
_
Creation, Validity, Modification, and Termination of Trusts __
Administration
_
Liabilities, Rights, and Remedies of Trustees, Beneficiaries, and Third Persons
Jurisdiction, Venue, and Proceedings
_.. __ ... __ . __ .. __ .. __ .. _.... _.
Uniform Principal and Income Act ,_",_",_, ,_
Uniform Prudent Investor Act
. __
.
XVll
590
601
634
669
687
696
745
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subtitle C. Miscellaneous Trusts
Chapter
Page
121. Employees' Trusts
122. Charitable Trusts [Repealed]
.. __
123. Attorney General Participation in Proceedings Involving Charitable Trusts___
756
761
761
TITLE 10. MISCELLANEOUS BENEFICIAL PROPERTY
INTERESTS
Subtitle A. Persons Under Disability
141. Transfers to Minors ...
.
._ ... __ . _. __ .. _._ .. _... _.. _
142. Management of Property Recovered in Suit by a Next Friend or Guardian Ad
.. ..
.. __
Litem ...
769
781
Subtitle B. Fiduciaries
161. Management and Control of Securities
162. Construction Payments, Loan Receipts, and Misapplication of Trust Funds..
163. Management, Investment, and Expenditure ,of Institutional Funds
Subtitle C.
788
792
796
Powers of Appointment
181. Powers of Appointment ' .. _.. "
803
TITLE 11. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
201.
202.
203,
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
Restrictive Covenants Applicable to Certain Subdivisions __ ..
Construction and Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants
Enforcement of Land Use Restrictions in Certain Counties....
Powers of Property Owners' Association Relating to Restrictive Covenants In
Certain Subdivisions
Restrictive Covenants Applicable to Revised Subdivisions in Certain
Counties
_.. _.. _.
Extension of Restrictions Imposing Regular Assessments in Certain Subdivisions...
Disclosure oflnfonnation by Property Owners' Associations ..
Amendment and Termination of Restrictive Covenants in Historic Neighbor_
.. _.. _.. __ .. _
hoods __
209. Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act
210. Extension or Modification of Residential Restrictive Covenants.. .
211. Amendment and Enforcement of Restrictions in Certain Subdivisions
XVIII
808
818
823
825
832
833
834
838
842
854
857
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS SHARED REAL PROPERTY
INTERESTS
Page
Chapter
221. Texas Timeshare Act
_
222. Texas Membership Camping Resort Act
860
__ .. __
.
901
TITLE 15. FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES
301. Texas Fair Housing Act
912
TITLE 16. TEXAS RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
COMMISSION ACT [EXPIRED]
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
STATE OF TEXAS 1876
Article
1.
VIII.
XIV.
XVI.
Bill of Rights
Taxation and R~venue
Public Lands and Land Office ..
General Provisions.
935
936
955
956
.
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE
TITLE 3. INSOLVENCY, FRAUDULENT TRANSFERS, AND FRAUD
Chapter
24. Uniform Fraudulent Transfer ACL
26. Statule of Frauds
27. Fraud
_...................................................
.. .........•..............................
971
981
984
CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE
TITLE 2.
TRIAL, JUDGMENT, AND APPEAL
Subtitle B. Trial Matters
16. Limitations
986
XIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subtitle C. Judgments
C...pter
37. Declaratory Judgments
.__ .
.
. __ . .
.
_
1004
TITLE 3. EXTRAORDINARY REMEDIES
75.
BO.
84.
95.
Limitation of Landowners' Liability
.. .. __ .
Trespass: Outdoor Sign
Charitable Immunity and Liability
Property Owner's Liability for Acts of Independent Contractors and Amount
of Recovery
1009
1014
1015
1022
TITLE 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
121. Acknowledgments and Proofs of Written Instruments
125. Common and Public Nuisances
.
_ _
.
1024
1031
.
TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
Port
II.
Rules of Practice in District and County Courts
--...
1045
Section
VI.
VII.
11. Trial of Causes _ _._
_........................
Rules Relating to Ancillary Proceedings __
__
3. Executions
_ _ _ _
_...........
1045
1045
1045
8. Sequestration
Rules Relating to Special Proceedings
1047
1. Procedures Related to Home Equity Loan Foreclosure
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
.
Justice Court Proceedings 10 Enforce Landlord's Duly to Repair or
Remedy Residential Rental Property
_..................
Forcible Enny and Detainer _
_
_....
_
_..................
Partition of Real Estate
Partition of Penonal Property..........
Partition: Miscellaneous Provisions
Quo Warranto.......
._...................................
Trespass to Try Title
xx
1047
1047
1051
1057
1064
1067
1068
1069
1069
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FAMILY CODE
TITLE 1. THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP
Subtitle B. Property Rights and Liabilities
Chapter
Page
3. Marital Property Rights and Liabilities _
__
4. Premarital and Marital Property Agreements ....
5. Homestead Rights
Subtitle C.
7_ Award of Marital Property
9. Post-Decree Proceedings __ .
..
.
._______
._.___
1075
1088
1094
Dissolution of Marriage
__
.. __ .
1097
1100
TITLE 2. CHILD IN RELATION TO THE FAMILY
Subtitle A.
Limitations of Minority
31. Removal of Disabilities of Minority __
1103
FINANCE CODE
TITLE 3. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESSES
Subtitle A.
Banks
59. Miscellaneous Provisions
1105
GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 3. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Subtitle B. Legislation
311. Code Construction Act __
312. Construction of Laws
1109
1116
_
XXI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE 4. EXECUTNE BRANCH
Subtitle A. Executive Officers
Pa..
Ch,pter
406. Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds --
1121
TITLE 10. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Subtitle A. Administrative Procedure and Practice
2007. Governmental Action Affecting Private Property Rights ---
1135
HEALTH :AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 8. DEATH AND DISPOSITION OF THE BODY
Subtitle B. Disposition of The Body
1145
694. Burial_
Subtitle C. Cemeteries and Crematories
711.
712.
713.
714.
715.
716.
General Provisions Relating to Cemeteries ..
Perpetual Care Cemeteries
Local Regulation of Cemeteries _
.---------.-----------.
Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Cemeteries
Certain Historic Cemeteries
Crematories __
1146
1172
1188
1195
1197
1202
TITLE 9. SAFETY
Subtitle A. Public Safety
1215
756. Miscellaneous Hazardous Conditions.
757. Pool Yard Enclosures
1224
Subtitle C. Fire
1232
791. fire Escapes _
XXII
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 7. REGULATION OF LAND USE, STRUCTURES,
BUSINESSES, AND RELATED ACTMTIES
Subtitle A. Municipal Regulatory Authority
CM¢M
P~e
211.
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
229.
230.
1247
1259
1297
1298
1331
1337
1345
1347
1347
1347
1349
Municipal Zoning Authority ....
Municipal Regulation of Subdivisions and Property Development..................
Municipal Comprehensive Plans
Municipal Regulation of Housing and Other Structures...............................
Municipal Regulation of Businesses and Occupations
__ ..
Regulation of Signs by Municipalities
Municipal Regulation of Nuisances and Disorderly COnduct.....
Municipal Regulation of Burglar Alarm Systems [Redesignated]
Municipal Comprehensive Plans [Redesignated]
Miscellaneous Regulatory Authority of Municipalities
Miscellaneous Regulatory Authority of Municipalities [Redesignated] .
Subtitle B. County Regulatory Authority
231.
232.
233.
234.
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
County Zoning Authority.
County Regulation of Subdivisions....
.•.....
County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures
County Regulation of Businesses and Occupations
County Regulation of Matters Relating to Explosives and Weapons
Regulation of Explosives by County Fire Marshal in Certain Counties [Redes·
ignated]...................
County Regulation of Alarm Systems [Redesignated]..................................
County Regulation of Certain Outdoor Businesses [Redesignated]
County Regulation of Structures [Redesignated]
Miscellaneous Regulatory Authority of Counties......
1350
1387
1434
1447
1452
1457
1457
1458
1458
1458
Subtitle C. Regulatory Authority Applying to More
Than One Type of Local Government
241. Municipal and County Zoning Authority Around Airports ...
242. Authority of Municipality and County to Regulate Subdivisions in and Outside
Municipality's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
..
243. Municipal and County Authority to Regulatc Sexually Oriented Business
244. Location of Certain Facilities and Shelters
-_
_ __..
.___
245. Issuance of Local Permits
XXIII
1471
1482
1485
1489
1494
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Peg.
Chapter
246. Construction of Cenain Telecommunications Facilities
1498
250. Miscellaneous Regulatory Authority of Municipalities and Counties._
1500
TITLE 8. ACQUISITION, SALE, OR LEASE OF PROPERTY
Subtitle A. Municipal Acquisition, Sale, or Lease of Property
251. Municipal Right of Eminent Domain .. _
1504
Subtitle B. County Acquisition, Sale, or Lease of Property
261. County Right of Eminent Domain _..
1505
NATURAL RESOURCES CODE
Author Note
1507
TAX CODE
TITLE 1. PROPERTY TAX CODE
Subtitle A. General Provisions
1. General Provisions
1509
Subtitle B. Property Tax Administration
5. State Administration
1519
6. Local Administration ... _.
1531
Subtitle C. Taxable Property and Exemptions
11. Taxable Property and Exemptions
... __
XXIV
1560
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subtitle D. Appraisal and Assessment
Chapter
Page
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
1634
1641
1650
1725
1728
1746
Taxable Situs........
Renditions and Othet Reports
Appraisal Methods and Procedures
Central Appraisal................................................................................
Local Appraisal
Assessment........................................................................................
Subtitle E. Collections and Delinquencies
31.
32.
33.
34.
Collections....................................................................................
Tax Liens and PelSOnal Liability
Delinquency.......................................................................................
Tax Sales and Redemption
1776
1798
1808
1842
Subtitle F. Remedies
41.
41A.
42.
43.
Local Review
Appeal Through Binding Arbitration.......................................................
Judicial Review.........................
Suit Against Appraisal Office.......................
1860
1879
1886
1898
TRANSPORTATION CODE
Subtitle A.
TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Certificates of Title and Registration of Vehicles
501. Certificate of Ti.le Act
.
1901
WATER CODE
Author Note .... _.. _._ .. _.. _.. __ .
1943
Table of Cases ..................................................................•..........................
Index
xxv
T·1
1·1