Every legal resource in Texas explains how the eviction process works. The notice to vacate, the court hearing, the judgment, the writ of possession. TexasLawHelp covers it. The Texas State Law Library covers it. Landlord-focused property management blogs cover it with charts and timelines and step-by-step instructions for getting the tenant out.
Then the constable locks the door. And the information stops.
Almost nothing exists for the renter standing on the other side of that locked door. StopTXEviction.org, a licensed Texas real estate brokerage operated by Apartment Access Group under Spirit Real Estate Group (TX Broker License #562021), has placed hundreds of renters with eviction judgments into apartments across Texas. That includes renters who were days past a writ of possession lockout when they filled out the screening form. What that placement history makes clear is straightforward: the first 72 hours after a lockout shape everything that comes next, and almost no resource covers them.
This article fills that gap. It walks through what the constable actually does during the lockout, what rights a renter still has under Texas Property Code, what to secure and where to go in the first 24 hours, and the part no legal resource addresses: how this eviction judgment shows up on screening reports and what it realistically costs to rent again afterward.
The legal process is over. The housing search starts now.
What Happens When the Constable Shows Up
The writ of possession is the final legal step in a Texas eviction. Under Texas Property Code Section 24.0061, a writ may not be issued before the sixth day after the judgment for possession is rendered. There’s a specific timeline between the court’s judgment and the moment the constable arrives at the door.
Here’s how it breaks down:
| Stage | Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment entered | Day 0 | Court rules in landlord’s favor |
| Appeal window | Days 1-5 | Tenant can file appeal (must post appeal bond) |
| Writ issued | Day 6+ | Court clerk issues writ of possession to constable |
| 24-hour notice posted | Varies | Constable posts written notice on the door |
| Physical lockout | 24 hours after posting | Constable supervises lock change and removal |
Appeals during the 5-day window are rare in eviction cases. Filing an appeal requires posting a bond (typically the amount of rent owed), and most renters at this stage don’t have that cash available. If no appeal is filed, the landlord requests the writ from the court clerk, pays a fee, and the constable schedules the posting.
When the constable arrives to post the 24-hour notice, that notice is taped to the front door. It’s a written warning that the lockout will happen the next day. The constable returns 24 hours later (sometimes with a moving crew arranged by the landlord) and supervises the lock change. The tenant is told to leave. If the tenant isn’t present, the locks are changed anyway.
Belongings left inside don’t just disappear. Under Texas law, the landlord and constable typically move personal property to the curb or a designated area outside the unit. The renter has a right to retrieve those belongings. The specifics of how long belongings must be stored and under what conditions are outlined in the writ itself, and the rules vary by county. The Texas State Law Library’s guide to tenant’s property during eviction provides additional detail on the legal framework. Some constables give a window to arrange pickup. Others move everything outside during the lockout and consider the obligation met.
One critical point: returning to the unit after the locks have been changed is criminal trespass. The lease is terminated. The unit is no longer the renter’s home. That’s the legal line, and crossing it creates a separate legal problem on top of the eviction.
For a more detailed breakdown of the post-judgment timeline, see How Long Do Texas Renters Have to Move After an Eviction Court Date?
The First 24 Hours After Lockout: What to Do Right Now
The first thing to handle isn’t housing. It’s documents.
Renters who are locked out via writ of possession need specific paperwork to access emergency services, apply for benefits, and eventually apply for the next apartment. If any of these items were left inside the unit, retrieving them during the constable’s designated pickup window is the priority.
Documents to secure immediately:
| Document | Why It’s Needed | Where to Get a Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Government-issued ID | Shelter intake, apartment applications, employment | Texas DPS office ($16 replacement fee) |
| Social Security card | Income verification, benefits applications | SSA.gov or local SSA office |
| 3 months of pay stubs | Income verification for next apartment | Employer payroll portal or HR department |
| Court judgment paperwork | Know exact judgment amount and eviction type | JP court clerk where case was heard |
| Copy of the former lease | Verify lease terms, security deposit rights | Former landlord (request in writing) |
| Bank statements (2-3 months) | Income verification backup | Bank’s online portal or branch |
If these documents were inside the unit and the constable’s crew moved them to the curb, find them first. Everything else can wait.
Call 2-1-1 Texas. This is the statewide helpline operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It connects callers to emergency housing resources, shelter referrals, utility assistance, food banks, and other crisis services. It’s available 24/7, in multiple languages, and covers every county in Texas. It’s the single most useful phone number in the first 24 hours after a lockout.
Shelter intake at most Texas facilities requires a government-issued ID and proof of income (or proof of unemployment). Some shelters have waiting lists. Some prioritize specific situations. Calling 2-1-1 first gives the most current information on which facilities have availability rather than showing up at a shelter that’s full.
For belongings that can’t be carried, temporary storage is a practical concern. A 5×10 storage unit in major Texas metros runs roughly $50-$150 per month as of March 2026, depending on the city and facility. That’s the size that fits a bedroom’s worth of furniture. Essentials (documents, clothing, medications, electronics) should stay on hand. Larger items go to storage only if the cost fits within the budget for what comes next, which is significant.
What not to do in the first 24 hours: going back inside the unit is criminal trespass. Signing anything the former landlord presents at the door without reading every word is a risk. And ignoring the court judgment paperwork is a mistake, because the amount on that judgment is about to become a factor in every apartment application going forward.
Hours 24-72: Stabilize and Start Planning
Once the immediate crisis is handled (shelter, documents, belongings), the next 48 hours are about understanding the financial and legal picture before making any moves that cost money.
The security deposit isn’t automatically gone. Under Texas Property Code Section 92.104, the former landlord must return the security deposit (minus lawful deductions for damages, unpaid rent, or cleaning) within 30 days of the tenant surrendering the premises. An eviction doesn’t erase this obligation. The catch: the renter must provide a written forwarding address to the former landlord. Without a forwarding address on file, the landlord has no legal duty to send the refund. Even from a shelter or a friend’s couch, sending that forwarding address in writing (certified mail if possible) protects the right to whatever deposit balance remains after deductions.
The landlord can deduct unpaid rent and documented damages from the deposit. But the landlord can’t keep the entire deposit without an itemized list of deductions. If no itemized list is provided within 30 days, the renter may be entitled to the full deposit plus damages under Texas law.
Understanding the judgment amount. The eviction judgment typically includes unpaid rent, damages, court costs, and sometimes attorney’s fees. That total becomes property debt. Property debt is the number that shows up on screening reports pulled by future apartment communities. Knowing the exact amount matters because it directly affects which communities will consider an application and what the third-party guarantee will cost.
How to find the judgment amount: the court paperwork from the hearing lists it. If that paperwork was lost during the lockout, the JP court clerk’s office in the precinct where the case was heard can provide a copy. Some Texas counties make this available online through their court records portal.
Check the screening report. The eviction judgment is a public court record. LexisNexis, the database most apartment communities use for rental history screening, picks it up from county court records. The timeline for the judgment to appear on a LexisNexis report varies: sometimes within days, sometimes 2-4 weeks. Renters can request a free copy of their own consumer file from LexisNexis to see exactly what future apartment communities will see when they pull a screening report.
Requesting that report now, in the first 72 hours, accomplishes two things. It confirms what the screening report shows (or will show once updated). And it provides the baseline information needed to start the apartment search with accurate data instead of guessing.
For renters who already have their court documents and pay stubs gathered, calling 1-877-595-8745 connects directly to StopTXEviction.org’s screening team to begin the community matching process.
What This Eviction Means for the Next Apartment Search
This is the section no legal resource covers. The writ of possession ended the tenancy. Now the eviction judgment starts affecting every apartment application the renter submits, potentially for years.
Here’s the mechanical reality of how it works. The eviction judgment is a public court record filed in the JP court where the case was heard. LexisNexis, the rental history database that most large apartment management companies subscribe to, pulls from county court records on a rolling basis. When the judgment appears in that database, it shows up as a line item: case type (forcible detainer), judgment amount, court, date. That’s what the screening software at the next apartment community reads.
Not “background check.” Screening report. The distinction matters because a background check implies a human looked at something. At 85-90% of apartment communities in Texas, no human reviews the application at all. Screening software from vendors like RealPage or CoreLogic pulls the LexisNexis rental history, runs it against the community’s preset criteria, and returns an approve or decline. The leasing agent sees the result. They don’t override it. The CFPB’s tenant screening resources outline how renters can review their own reports and dispute errors.
A renter who was locked out via writ of possession has an eviction judgment on record. Not just a filing. Not a dismissed case. A judgment. That’s the harder screening profile because it means the court ruled against the tenant and typically assigned a dollar amount in damages. The combination of the judgment record plus the property debt amount is what triggers the screening flag.
So what does a renter with a fresh eviction judgment actually face when they start looking?
| Property Class | Typical Screening Response | Third-Party Guarantee Required? | Estimated Options per Major TX Metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A ($1,500+/month) | Auto-decline; 5-7 year lookback on any eviction | Not typically accepted for fresh judgments | 0-2 communities |
| Class B ($1,000-$1,500/month) | Varies by management company and screening vendor | Yes, at nearly all | 5-15 communities |
| Class C ($700-$1,100/month) | Shorter lookbacks (2-3 years), more management discretion | Yes, at most | 10-25 communities |
| Second-Chance | Built for screening issues; shorter lookbacks, lower credit floors | Yes, required at all | 3-8 communities |
Screening criteria are set by individual apartment communities and are subject to change. Community counts reflect documented options as of March 2026 and vary by metro.
The core number: approximately 95% of the time, when an eviction judgment appears on the screening report, a third-party guarantee will be required to get approved. The guarantee is a financial product where a bonding company agrees to cover the apartment community’s risk (up to 3 months of rent) if the tenant defaults. That coverage is what converts a screening decline into an approval. Without it, the options are limited to the small number of communities that either don’t pull rental history through LexisNexis or do genuine case-by-case human review.
That 10-15% of communities that do real human review? They’re specific properties with specific management companies. They’re not random. Knowing which ones they are, and whether their criteria match the renter’s full screening profile (credit score, income, judgment amount, age of eviction), is the difference between a targeted search and an expensive guessing game.
For more on how screening timelines work, see When Does an Eviction Go on Your Record? For city-specific community options, see the eviction-friendly apartments guide for Texas.
What a Fresh Eviction Costs When It’s Time to Move Again
After an eviction judgment, the financial picture is specific enough to map out. Here’s what a renter with a fresh eviction should expect to budget for the next apartment, based on documented move-in costs at communities that accept the third-party guarantee.
| Cost Component | Estimated Amount ($1,400/month unit) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party guarantee fee | ~$1,400 | Approximately one month’s rent as of March 2026 |
| Security deposit | $200-$500 | Varies by community; often reduced with guarantee |
| First month’s rent | $1,400 | Due at lease signing |
| Application and admin fees | $150-$350 | Non-refundable; covers screening and processing |
| Total estimated move-in | $3,150-$3,650 | For a $1,400/month unit |
Some guarantee providers allow a split payment structure: roughly 60% of the guarantee fee upfront, the rest spread over 5-6 months. That changes the day-one cash requirement from ~$3,150 to roughly ~$2,310 at the low end, with the remaining guarantee balance paid monthly.
Compare that to what happens without screening guidance. Application fees in Texas run $50-$75 per person. A renter applying blind at communities that aren’t matched to their screening profile will get declined at most of them. Five applications at $65 each is $325 gone before any approval happens. Eight applications is $520. Those fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Here’s where a common misconception burns through limited savings. A renter with a $2,500 judgment might assume that paying off the property debt is the first priority. It seems logical: clear the debt, clean the record, rent normally.
It doesn’t work that way. Paying off property debt is the right long-term move. But LexisNexis doesn’t immediately remove the record when the debt is satisfied. The screening report may continue to show the eviction and the debt history for months after payment. The third-party guarantee is still required at most communities regardless of whether the debt has been paid. And the cash used to pay off the debt is cash that’s no longer available for the guarantee fee and move-in costs.
If a renter has $5,000 in savings and uses $2,500 to pay off the judgment, the remaining $2,500 may not cover guarantee plus deposit plus first month’s rent. That’s how renters end up stuck: debt paid, still can’t get approved, and now short on move-in funds.
The smarter sequence for most situations: secure housing first. Address the property debt after the lease is signed and income is stable. The screening form at StopTXEviction.org takes the full financial picture into account, including property debt, and matches to communities where the renter’s current resources are enough to cover move-in costs.
For renters trying to figure out how to split limited savings between property debt, move-in costs, and the third-party guarantee, calling 1-877-595-8745 gets a screening-based breakdown specific to their financial situation.
For a deeper look at what happens to the screening record after paying off the debt, see If You Pay Off an Eviction Does It Come Off Your Record?
The Honest Reality of Renting with a Fresh Eviction
An eviction judgment under 12 months old is the hardest screening profile to place. That’s not a marketing line. It’s documented across screening data from over 1,000 Texas apartment communities.
The numbers: a renter with a fresh eviction judgment (under 12 months), credit above 550, income at 3x rent, and property debt under $2,000 typically has 5-15 community options per major Texas metro. Those options exist. They’re real. But they’re a fraction of the total market.
The third-party guarantee is required at every single one of them.
Not every community that accepts the third-party guarantee accepts eviction judgments under 12 months old. Some communities set their lookback floor at 12 months even with the guarantee in place. Others draw the line at 24 months or 36 months. The guarantee doesn’t override the community’s own screening criteria. It covers the financial risk. The community still decides whether the eviction age fits their policy.
Compound factors narrow the list further. An eviction judgment combined with credit below 550 reduces options. Add outstanding property debt above $2,000, and the count drops again. Layer in a felony conviction or a second eviction, and the available communities in most Texas metros can be counted on one hand.
Timeline realism: from the screening form to a signed lease, the typical placement takes 1-3 weeks. Fresh evictions sometimes take longer because fewer communities match the criteria, and availability at those communities changes. A community that had an open unit last Tuesday might not have one next week.
None of this is meant to discourage. It’s meant to prevent a renter from burning $500-$800 in application fees discovering these constraints through trial and error. Knowing the real numbers on day one is cheaper than learning them through rejection letters.
Two Approaches: What Goes Wrong vs. What Works
What separates a renter who secures an apartment within two weeks of an eviction from one who’s still searching after six isn’t luck. It’s approach.
The common mistake:
A renter with an eviction judgment from 8 months ago. Property debt: $2,500. Credit score: 570. Gross monthly income: $4,600. Savings: $4,700.
Step one: pays $1,500 toward the property debt, thinking it will help with approvals. Step two: applies at a Class A community near work ($1,650/month). Declined. Step three: applies at a Class B community a friend recommended. Declined. Step four: applies at two more communities found on an apartment listing site. Declined at both. Application fees spent: $260. Credit score drops to 562 from hard inquiries. Remaining savings: $2,940. That’s not enough to cover the third-party guarantee plus deposit plus first month’s rent at most communities that would actually approve this profile.
Total burned without a lease: $1,760. Still no apartment.
The screening-first approach:
Same renter. Same numbers. Instead of paying down debt or applying blind, fills out StopTXEviction.org’s free screening form. The screening team reviews the full profile: eviction judgment age (8 months), property debt ($2,500), credit (570), income ($4,600/month).
Result: matched to 3 communities in the metro with compatible criteria. Eviction lookback set to 6 months at these properties. Credit minimum: 550. Income requirement: 3x rent. Available units at the $1,000-$1,200/month range, which fits the income.
Third-party guarantee arranged. Approved at the first matched community. Move-in costs: $3,350 total (guarantee $1,200, deposit $350, first month $1,200, fees $200 on a $1,200/month unit). Lease signed within 11 days. Remaining savings go toward the property debt once the housing situation is stable.
Total spent to get housed: $3,350. With a lease.
These scenarios are composites based on documented placement outcomes. Individual results vary based on screening profile, metro area, and community availability. Screening criteria are set by individual communities and are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the constable force me out of my apartment in Texas?
Yes. Once the writ of possession is issued and the constable posts the 24-hour notice, the lockout is legally enforceable. The constable can supervise the removal of the tenant and the changing of locks. Refusing to leave after the 24-hour notice period can result in the constable physically removing the occupant. The constable is the only party legally authorized to execute the writ. The landlord cannot perform a lockout without the constable present.
How long do I have after the constable posts the notice on my door?
Twenty-four hours. The constable posts a written notice on the door stating that the writ of possession will be executed. After 24 hours, the constable returns to change the locks and supervise the removal. That 24-hour window is the last opportunity to remove belongings from the unit before the lockout occurs.
What happens to my belongings if I get evicted in Texas?
Personal property left inside the unit is typically moved to the curb or a designated area outside during the lockout. The constable oversees this process. Texas law does not require landlords to store belongings for an extended period after the writ is executed, though the specific handling varies by county and by the terms of the writ itself. Retrieving belongings quickly after the lockout, during any window the constable provides, is critical.
For a complete walkthrough of the eviction process timeline in Texas, including how the writ of possession works, see the full guide.
Where can I go right after being evicted in Texas?
Call 2-1-1 Texas immediately. The helpline connects callers to emergency shelter referrals, transitional housing programs, food assistance, and other crisis resources specific to the caller’s county. Shelter intake typically requires a government-issued ID and some proof of income or unemployment. Availability changes daily, which is why calling the helpline for real-time information is more effective than showing up at a shelter directly.
Will the eviction show up on my record immediately?
Not always on the same day, but fast. The eviction judgment is a public court record. LexisNexis, the rental history database used by most apartment screening software in Texas, pulls from county court records on a rolling basis. The judgment typically appears within 1-4 weeks. Renters can request a free copy of their consumer file from LexisNexis to confirm exactly what shows up before applying at any apartment community.
Can I rent an apartment right after being evicted in Texas?
Yes, but the options are narrower and the costs are higher than a standard apartment search. Approximately 95% of the time, a third-party guarantee will be required when a fresh eviction judgment appears on the screening report. The number of communities that accept the guarantee for evictions under 12 months old ranges from 5-25 per major Texas metro, depending on the renter’s full screening profile (credit score, income, property debt amount). The search is faster and cheaper when it starts with a screening form rather than blind applications.
For a full breakdown, see How to Rent an Apartment in Texas with an Eviction.
How much does it cost to get an apartment after an eviction in Texas?
Total move-in costs for a renter with a fresh eviction judgment typically range from $3,150 to $3,650 for a $1,400/month apartment, as of March 2026. That includes the third-party guarantee fee (approximately one month’s rent), security deposit ($200-$500), first month’s rent, and application and admin fees ($150-$350). Some guarantee providers offer split payment options that reduce the upfront cash requirement.
For more detail on timelines and financial preparation, see How Long After an Eviction Can I Rent Again?
Is StopTXEviction.org really free?
Yes. StopTXEviction.org is a free apartment locating service. After matching to a community, renters select “Apartment Locator” or “Locator Service” on their application and list Spirit Real Estate as the referring source. The community pays a referral fee from their marketing budget. The renter’s rent, deposit, and move-in costs are identical to what they’d pay applying on their own. The screening form costs nothing to submit.
What the First 72 Hours Come Down To
The eviction judgment happened. That’s the fixed point. What isn’t fixed is how the next apartment search plays out.
The first 72 hours are about two things: stabilizing the immediate situation (documents, shelter, belongings) and getting accurate information about what the eviction changes on the screening side. A renter who knows the judgment amount, understands how LexisNexis reports it, and has realistic cost expectations for the third-party guarantee and move-in fees is in a fundamentally different position than a renter who starts applying blind at apartment listing sites and discovers the screening reality through $65 rejection letters.
Eviction age, judgment amount, credit score, income, property debt. Those are the key variables. Those five numbers determine which communities are realistic options and what the move-in costs will be. Everything flows from there.
Fill out the screening form or call 1-877-595-8745 to get matched to communities that fit. StopTXEviction.org reviews the screening profile and responds within 24 hours with matched community options.
Screening criteria are set by individual apartment communities and are subject to change without notice. The information provided reflects documented policies as of March 2026 but does not guarantee approval. Final approval decisions rest with property management companies.
StopTXEviction.org is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. All legal information is for informational purposes only. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney.
Rental pricing and market data are estimates based on available information as of March 2026 and are subject to change. Verify all pricing directly with the property.