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A student sublets a bedroom to someone who was never on the lease. That person refuses to leave once the actual tenant moves out at the end of the semester.
For years, Texas landlords had exactly one option in this kind of situation: the same eviction process used for a legitimate tenant dispute. Senate Bill 1333 changes that, but only for a narrow, specific set of cases.
College Station's rental market turns over constantly with the academic calendar, which makes this scenario more common here than in many other Texas cities. Here is what the law actually allows.
Key Takeaways
- Senate Bill 1333 took effect September 1, 2025, and created a new chapter of the Texas Property Code focused on unauthorized occupants.
- It allows property owners to file a sworn complaint with law enforcement to remove true squatters, without going through eviction court.
- The law does not apply to actual tenants, subtenants with any prior consent, or anyone with a previous landlord-tenant relationship, even an informal one.
- Using fraudulent documents, like a fake lease or deed, to occupy or rent property is now a criminal offense under the new law.
- SB 1333 works alongside Senate Bill 38, which separately reformed the standard eviction process for legitimate tenant disputes.
What SB 1333 Actually Does
SB 1333 created a new chapter of the Texas Property Code, Chapter 24B, titled Removal of Certain Unauthorized Occupants. It gives property owners a faster path to remove someone who entered a property without consent and has no legitimate lease or rental history there.
Rather than filing a civil eviction case and waiting for a court date, an owner can file a sworn complaint directly with law enforcement. Once officers verify ownership, they can act much faster than the traditional eviction timeline allows.
Why This Matters More in a College Rental Market
College Station's rental turnover follows the academic calendar, which creates more opportunities for unauthorized occupancy than a typical single-family market. A roommate who moves in without ever signing a lease, or someone who stays in a property after every actual leaseholder has moved out, are both scenarios landlords here run into more often than most.
SB 1333 gives you a real tool for the situations where someone genuinely has no right to be there. It is not a shortcut for a subletting dispute where the original tenant gave permission, even informally.
Who This Law Is For, and Who It Is Not
This is the detail landlords most often get wrong. SB 1333 is built specifically for true squatters, meaning someone who was never a tenant and never had the owner's consent to be there.
If the person was ever your tenant, or if your actual tenant allowed them to move in as a guest or informal subletter at any point, this law does not apply. Those situations still require a standard eviction through the courts.
How the Fast Removal Process Works
To use SB 1333, you or your property manager files a sworn complaint attesting under oath that the occupant has no right to be there. You must include proof of ownership or management authority with that filing.
Filing this complaint incorrectly, especially against someone with any legitimate claim to occupancy, can expose you to real liability. This is not a shortcut to use just because a subletting situation has become frustrating.
New Criminal Penalties for Rental Fraud
SB 1333 also raises the stakes for rental fraud itself. Presenting a false or fraudulent document, like a fake lease or deed, to gain entry or occupancy is now a Class A misdemeanor.
Using fraudulent documents to instigate the sale, rental, or lease of a property is treated even more seriously, as a first-degree felony. In a market with heavy seasonal turnover and roommate arrangements, this addresses exactly the kind of scheme that has caused real headaches for College Station landlords.
SB 1333 and SB 38 Work Together
Texas also passed Senate Bill 38 in the same legislative session, which reformed the standard eviction process used for legitimate tenant disputes under Property Code Chapter 24. Both laws are fully in effect as of January 1, 2026.
Think of it this way: SB 38 speeds up the court process for real tenant disputes, while SB 1333 gives you a law enforcement path for true unauthorized occupants. Our eviction service handles both situations correctly, since choosing the wrong path can cost you time either way.
How College Station Landlords Should Prepare
Keep your ownership documents, leases, and management agreements current and easy to produce, since SB 1333 filings depend on that proof. Document exactly who is approved to live in each unit, including any roommate additions, so there is no ambiguity if a dispute ever comes up.
Clear lease language naming every authorized occupant matters more now than ever in a market with this much roommate turnover. Our tenant screening process documents exactly who is approved to live in a property, which removes ambiguity if a dispute ever comes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SB 1333 to remove a subletter my tenant brought in without asking me?
It depends on the specifics. If your actual tenant allowed the person to move in, even without your permission, that person likely had some form of consent from someone with authority over the unit, which can complicate an SB 1333 filing. A standard eviction process is often the safer path in that situation.
What happens if I file an SB 1333 complaint against someone with a legitimate claim by mistake?
This can expose you to legal liability, since the sworn complaint requires you to attest that the person has no right to be there. Carefully verify the person's history at the property before filing.
Does SB 1333 apply to a roommate who was never on the lease but paid rent to another tenant?
This is a gray area that depends on the facts. Paying rent to another tenant can suggest an informal arrangement existed, which may take the situation outside SB 1333's intended scope. Consulting with a property manager or attorney before filing is worth the time.
What proof do I need to file a complaint under SB 1333?
You generally need to show proof of ownership or authorized management of the property. Law enforcement verifies this before taking action against the occupant.
When did SB 1333 take effect?
The law took effect September 1, 2025, and is fully in force alongside the state's broader eviction reforms under SB 38 as of January 1, 2026.
Protect Your Property the Right Way
SB 1333 gives College Station landlords a genuinely useful tool, but only when it is used for the situation it was built for. Misusing it, or missing it entirely when it actually applies, can both cost you time and money.
At Texas Prime Real Estate, we know exactly which process applies to which situation, whether that is a true unauthorized occupant or a standard tenant dispute. If you are dealing with either situation right now, reach out to our team or explore our owner resources to see how we protect owners across the Brazos Valley.
