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How Long After Eviction Court Date Do You Have To Move in Texas?

How long after eviction court date do you have to move in Texas? You’ll get a minimum of 5 days to move out once the court issues a judgment.

Texas has one of the fastest eviction processes in the country. If the landlord follows the correct legal steps and the tenant doesn’t contest anything, the entire eviction process can be completed in under 4 weeks.

But if the tenant fights the case, files an appeal, or seeks delays, the process can last several months.

How Long After Eviction Court Date Do You Have To Move In Texas?

How Long After Eviction Court Date Do You Have To Move In Texas?

Let’s walk through what happens after the eviction court date in Texas and how long you have to move, depending on your situation.

After the court date, if the landlord wins, you get 5 days to move out or file an appeal.

If your case goes all the way to a court hearing and the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the court will issue a judgment for possession. This means the landlord now has the legal right to take back the property.

At that point, you have 5 calendar days to move out or file an appeal.

If you don’t take action within those five days:

  • The landlord can request a writ of possession from the court.
  • That writ authorizes a constable to forcibly remove you from the home

If you’re not sure whether to move out before the court date, you should know that letting your case go to court is a huge risk unless you’ve got a valid case against the eviction.

If you stay in the property and let the eviction go to a hearing, the court will likely issue a civil judgment for eviction against you. That record goes on your tenant screening report and is very hard to recover from.

Most landlords won’t approve applicants with an eviction on their record. The few who do often require:

  • Double or triple security deposits
  • A lease guarantor or co-signer
  • Short-term leases at high rates

If you move out before the court date and submit written proof to the court, there’s a good chance the case will be dismissed. Proof can include photos of the empty unit, a dated move-out notice, and your key return receipt.

See Also: How To Get Out Of A Lease in Texas Without Penalty?

How Long Do You Have To Move Out After Eviction In Texas?

What happens after an eviction judgment in Texas? How fast do you need to move out, and what happens if you don’t leave?

Once the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the eviction process moves quickly.

You get 5 calendar days to move out after the eviction judgment.

Texas law gives tenants five calendar days (including weekends and holidays) to either move out or file an appeal after the court enters a judgment for possession.

If you decide to appeal the judgment, you’ll need to file the appeal within those 5 days and pay court fees. If your eviction is for unpaid rent, you’ll need to pay rent to the court while your appeal is underway.

Your landlord cannot forcibly remove you during these 5 days. They can’t turn off utilities or change the locks, or use any other intimidation tactics.

If you don’t appeal or move out in time, the landlord can go back to the court and request a writ of possession. This is a legal order that allows the constable to remove you from the property.

How Long Do You Have After A Writ Of Possession Texas?

Once the writ is issued, the constable gives you a 24-hour move-out notice. This is the minimum period required by Texas law, and although you may get an extra day or two, you shouldn’t count on it.

Some constables will give a short grace period, especially if children or elderly tenants are present, but they’re not required to. Once the writ is active, you have no power to negotiate.

After the court issues the writ, the constable will post a 24-hour eviction notice on your door. This is your final warning. You now have just one day before law enforcement shows up to remove you and your belongings from the rental property.

In many Texas counties, the constable will return exactly 24 hours later. They’re legally allowed to change the locks and remove you and your property from the unit.

If you refuse to leave, expect a forcible removal.

Staying in the unit past the 24-hour notice puts you at risk of:

  • Being physically removed from the property
  • Having your belongings put out on the curb or locked inside
  • Additional legal fees added to your judgment

Timeline: How Long Does An Eviction Take In Texas?

Here’s a breakdown of the typical eviction timeline in Texas, from start to finish:

  1. Notice to Vacate (3 days, usually)

Before filing in court, the landlord must give the tenant a written Notice to Vacate. For most lease violations, Texas law requires a minimum of 3 days’ notice, unless the lease says something different.

  1. Filing the Eviction Lawsuit (1–3 days after notice expires)

If you haven’t moved out by the deadline in the notice, the landlord can file an eviction petition (called a “Forcible Detainer Suit”) in Justice Court.

  1. Eviction Court Hearing (Usually 10 days after filing)

The eviction hearing usually happens 10 days after the case is filed, although scheduling delays or backlogs in larger counties may push the hearing back a little longer.

  1. Judgment and Waiting Period (5 calendar days)

After the judge rules in favor of the landlord, Texas law gives the tenant 5 calendar days to either:

  • Move out voluntarily
  • File an appeal to pause the eviction

No action during this period means the landlord can request a writ of possession on Day 6.

  1. Writ of Possession Issued and Posted (1–3 days)

Once the landlord requests the writ, the court issues it, and a constable posts a 24-hour eviction notice on your door.

This can take 1-3 business days, depending on the county and how quickly the constable operates.

  1. Physical Eviction (24 hours after notice is posted)

After the 24-hour notice is up, the constable can:

  • Arrive at the property
  • Remove you by force
  • Oversee the landlord changing the locks
  • Remove or secure your belongings

So, how long does an eviction take in Texas? The fastest timeline for an uncontested eviction is

3 weeks total from the landlord’s first notice to physical removal by the constable.

If the tenant contests the case or files an appeal, the process can stretch to 4-8 weeks or longer, depending on the court’s schedule and legal steps taken.

Read More: How Late Can You Be On Rent Before Eviction in Texas?