Texas Supreme Court Eviction Order Ended July 1

The Texas Supreme Court did not renew its Emergency Order setting additional rules and procedures for eviction hearings. Variations of this Emergency Order have been in place following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago. The current Emergency Order expired July 1, 2023, and it was not renewed.

TAA has devoted significant time and resources over the last three years, participating in the Court’s committee on emergency orders and regularly meeting with individual justices and other stakeholders regarding our concerns. Most recently, TAA requested in writing that the Supreme Court terminate the Emergency Order given Governor Abbott’s decision to not renew the state’s disaster declaration for COVID-19 and the lack of funding for rental assistance. We are extremely pleased to see the Court’s decision to dispense with emergency COVID orders for eviction actions.

The expiration of the court’s Emergency Order removes additional notices and procedures which made the eviction process longer, more expensive, and prone to judicial inconsistencies. TAA commends the Texas Supreme Court for considering our concerns and allowing courts to return to pre-pandemic rules and processes.

NOTE: The expiration of the Texas Supreme Court’s Emergency Order does not impact the requirement to give a 30-day notice under the CARES Act. This requirement did not expire on July 1. If the property is not covered by the CARES Act or the eviction is not based on nonpayment, then the standard notice to vacate rules would apply.