Lubbock, Texas residential lease guide: LP&L after retail choice, four JP precincts

A Lubbock lease signed before 2024 named Lubbock Power & Light as the electricity provider. One signed today should not. LP&L finished moving its system into ERCOT on December 11, 2023 — “the largest migration of electrical load in state history” in its own words — opened a shopping window from January 5 to February 15, 2024, migrated customers to their chosen providers in March 2024, and in April 2024 “became the first municipal utility in Texas to enter the competitive retail electric market” (LP&L — Historic move to ERCOT). The utility now only delivers: it “won’t buy and sell electricity or directly bill customers for electric service” (LP&L explainer). Water remains the city’s, evictions go to one of four Lubbock County justice-of-the-peace precincts, and short stays need a city permit. Each point is sourced below as read in September 2026.

Electricity: the clause that changed in 2024

Under Utilities Code §40.051 a municipally owned utility decides “when or if” to offer customer choice, and the decision is irrevocable; Lubbock made it. The lease should now say that the tenant opens a retail electric account in the tenant’s name from the start date with any provider serving the address, and that outages are reported to LP&L, which owns “the poles, wires, lines and advanced meters.” A lease template that still says “tenant establishes service with LP&L” describes a company that no longer sells power; the tenant will be sent to PowerToChoose. If the landlord keeps the account and bills back, the amount and method belong in writing.

Water: City of Lubbock Utilities

The city’s Water Utilities Department “manages the city’s water supply, raw water transmission system, two surface water treatment plants, the water distribution system, wastewater collection system, two wastewater treatment plants, and wastewater reuse and disposal facilities” — 406 Municipal Drive, 806-775-2588 — and accounts are held through City of Lubbock Utilities. Name that account in the utilities clause and say whose name is on it. In a master-metered building, Water Code §13.5031 requires the rental agreement to describe the allocation method and state the average unit bill.

Eviction venue: four precincts and a pre-suit notice

Lubbock County’s justice courts sit in four precincts (Justice of the Peace courts). The county’s eviction page is precise: “Only the Justice of the Peace Court in the precinct in which the real property is located has jurisdiction over the eviction lawsuit,” and “before an eviction can be filed, the landlord must first deliver a pre-suit notice which demands that the person vacate the premises,” which “must either be a notice to vacate or a” notice to pay rent or vacate depending on circumstances (Lubbock County JP — Evictions). That mirrors Property Code §§24.0041 and 24.005 as amended from January 1, 2026. The county offers a Find Your Precinct tool; use it before drafting a notice.

Short stays: a permit and monthly tax

“All Short-Term Rental properties within City of Lubbock, TX are required to hold a valid Short-Term Rental Permit and remit taxes monthly for nights that the property is occupied by guests” (City of Lubbock — Short Term Rentals). A long-term lease should prohibit stays under 30 days unless the owner holds the permit. See the Lubbock registration guide.

WHAT TO WRITE IN A LUBBOCK LEASE
Clause	What changes for a Lubbock address	Source
Electricity	Tenant opens a retail electric account with any provider (since March 2024); LP&L delivers and handles outages	LP&L · Utilities Code §40.051
Water and sewer	City of Lubbock Utilities account holder named; allocation method if master-metered	Water Utilities · Water Code §13.5031
Notices and venue	Lubbock County JP precinct for the address; pre-suit notice as the county page describes	Lubbock County JP · Property Code ch. 24
Subletting	No stays under 30 days unless the owner holds the city STR permit and remits the tax	Short Term Rentals

What changes in Lubbock

Since March 2024 the tenant chooses a retail electricity provider; LP&L, once the city’s seller of power, now only delivers it.
LP&L was the first municipal utility in Texas to enter the competitive retail market (April 2024).
Water and sewer remain a city department, billed through City of Lubbock Utilities.
Four Lubbock County JP precincts; the county page spells out the pre-suit notice rule.
Short-term rentals need a city permit and monthly tax remittance.

Frequently asked questions

Can my tenant choose their electricity provider in Lubbock?

Yes, since March 2024. Lubbock Power & Light moved into ERCOT and opened its customers to retail choice; it now delivers power for the provider the customer selects and no longer sells electricity (LP&L).

Who does a Lubbock tenant call during a power outage?

Lubbock Power & Light, which still owns and maintains the poles, wires and meters (LP&L explainer); the retail provider on the bill does not operate the lines.

Where is an eviction filed in Lubbock?

In the Lubbock County justice court of the precinct where the property is located — the county has four (JP courts) and a precinct lookup tool.

Does Lubbock require a permit for short-term rentals?

Yes. All short-term rental properties in the city must hold a valid Short-Term Rental Permit and remit taxes monthly for occupied nights (City of Lubbock).

Sources

Rules change and the right answer can depend on the home, the city, the lease and the timing. These are the official pages this guide relies on; check them before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.

General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation. Written by the rentalfreelease.com Editorial Team; last reviewed September 19, 2026.