A Texas freeze plan protects pipes first and answers the power question second. The National Weather Service cold-weather guidance covers the household side — dripping faucets, opening cabinets, knowing the shutoff; the landlord’s side is insulation, heating checks and a written instruction sheet before the first forecast freeze. Two Property Code rules frame an outage: §92.008 limits what a landlord may do about utilities (no interruptions except for repairs, construction or emergency), and §92.052 makes a heating failure the landlord furnishes a repair duty on the §92.056 clock. Local rules add detail: Amarillo forbids gas disconnection below 40 °F, and several cities open warming centres the sheet should name.
Before the first freeze
| Item | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed pipes | Insulate lines in attics, garages and exterior walls; wrap hose bibs; drain irrigation and protect the backflow assembly | Burst prevention |
| Heating | Test the furnace or heat pump in October; replace filters; check the thermostat | §92.052 repair duty |
| Water heater | Check the temperature and pressure relief valve; insulate exposed lines | Failure in cold |
| Vacant units | Heating on at a minimum setting; water off and drained where appropriate | Burst prevention; insurance vacancy clauses |
| Tenant sheet | Drip faucets, open cabinets, where the main shutoff is, what to do if power fails, warming centres, the emergency number | §92.020; prevention |
| Insurance | Confirm coverage for freeze damage and loss of rents | Claims |
During and after
- Power fails: the tenant reports to the delivery utility (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP) or the municipal utility; the landlord does not promise restoration times.
- Pipe bursts: the tenant closes the main valve — the October walk-through matters — and reports in writing; the §92.056 clock starts.
- Metered water from the burst lands on the account named in the lease; say whose it is; several city water utilities hold the owner for a departing tenant’s leak arrears.
- Heating fails while the grid is up: a repair duty on the §92.056 clock; a portable heater for the interim.
- After: photographs, the tenant’s report, the claim number, invoices — one folder.
Master-metered buildings
Where the landlord resells gas or electricity through a master meter, §92.008(b) bars interruption for non-payment, and city rules may go further — Amarillo’s ordinance treats a master-meter landlord as a “provider” who may not disconnect gas below 40 °F. Keep the accounts current and the tenants informed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for frozen pipes in a Texas rental?
The landlord repairs the plumbing as a health-or-safety condition after notice; the tenant’s duties are what the lease and the freeze sheet set — dripping faucets, reporting, closing the shutoff (Property Code §92.052).
Can a landlord cut off heat or gas for unpaid rent in winter?
No — §92.008 forbids interrupting utilities except for bona fide repairs, construction or an emergency, and some cities add temperature-based bans on disconnection (Property Code §92.008).
What should the tenant do when the power goes out in a freeze?
Report to the delivery or municipal utility named on the sheet, drip faucets, and use the warming centres the city announces; the landlord cannot restore grid power (National Weather Service).
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.
- National Weather Service — Cold weather safety ↗
- Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 — Residential Tenancies ↗
- Texas State Law Library — Utility shutoffs ↗
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.