The Woodlands, TX · Montgomery County (Unincorporated) · ~118,000 Population · No Rent Control · Texas Gov. Code §214.902 · ExxonMobil Global Campus (Spring TX adjacent) · Occidental/Anadarko HQ 1201 Lake Robbins Dr · Chevron Phillips Chemical HQ 10001 Six Pines Dr · HP Enterprise Spring Campus · The Woodlands Township · Montgomery County JP Court · No Deposit Cap · 30-Day Return · Treble Damages
The Woodlands TX rent increase 2026 Texas has no rent control — Gov. Code §214.902 (HB 2902, eff. Sept 1, 2023) prohibits every Texas municipality and county from enacting any rent control ordinance. The Woodlands (Montgomery County, unincorporated; ~118,000 population; governed by The Woodlands Township) is subject solely to Texas Property Code: no deposit cap; 30-day return (§92.103); treble damages (§92.109); 3-day vacate notice non-payment. ExxonMobil Global Campus (~10,000+ employees, Spring TX adjacent), Occidental/Anadarko HQ (1201 Lake Robbins Dr; ~1,500–2,500 employees), Chevron Phillips Chemical HQ (10001 Six Pines Dr), and HP Enterprise drive one of the highest-wage suburban rental markets in Texas. Evictions: Montgomery County JP Court.
The Woodlands, Texas — one of the most acclaimed master-planned communities in the United States, home to the headquarters of Occidental Petroleum and Chevron Phillips Chemical and adjacent to the ExxonMobil global campus — has no rent control of any kind.
The Woodlands is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, governed by The Woodlands Township — a special-purpose governmental entity that provides municipal-like services but has no authority to enact rent control under any Texas law. Texas Government Code §214.902 additionally bars Montgomery County from establishing any rent cap or stabilization program.
For SFR landlords in The Woodlands: the 30-day deposit return deadline (§92.103) and treble-damage penalty (§92.109) are the highest financial risks — particularly for premium homes with pools and deposits of $4,000–$8,000+.
The Woodlands TX 2026 rent control status: quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rent control in The Woodlands? | None. Texas Gov. Code §214.902; unincorporated community with no city ordinances. |
| Annual increase cap? | No cap. Any amount at lease expiration with proper notice. |
| MTM notice to raise rent? | 1 month written notice minimum (§91.001); lease may require more. |
| Security deposit cap? | No statutory cap. Parties agree to any amount (§92.102). |
| Deposit return deadline? | 30 days after surrender + itemized deductions statement (§92.103). |
| Bad-faith withholding penalty? | $100 + 3× amount + attorney fees (§92.109). |
| Non-payment eviction notice? | 3-day written notice to vacate (§24.005) — vacate only, no cure option. |
| Eviction court? | Montgomery County JP Court (Conroe, TX; JP Precinct 3 or 5 for most of The Woodlands). |
| HOA/deed restriction? | Yes — The Woodlands Township Community Standards enforces deed restrictions. |
| Controlling law | Texas Gov. Code §214.902; Texas Property Code Chapters 91, 92, 24 |
Texas rent control preemption — Gov. Code §214.902
“A municipality or county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, order, or other regulation that controls the price at which private residential rental property may be offered for rent or leased to a prospective tenant.”
Texas Government Code §214.902 (HB 2902, enacted 88th Texas Legislature, effective September 1, 2023)
The Woodlands has operated as an unincorporated community for its entire history — a deliberate decision by the Woodlands Development Company (George Mitchell’s company, founded 1974) to avoid the regulatory overhead of incorporation. That decision means there are no city ordinances, no city taxes, and critically, no local landlord-tenant regulations beyond Texas state law. Texas Government Code §214.902 additionally ensures that Montgomery County cannot fill that gap with rent control ordinances. The result: The Woodlands landlords operate in one of Texas’s most legally streamlined rental environments, with zero local regulatory compliance beyond what the Texas Property Code requires.
Major employers driving The Woodlands TX rental demand
ExxonMobil Global Corporate Headquarters Campus (Spring TX, adjacent)
ExxonMobil relocated its global corporate headquarters from downtown Houston to a 385-acre campus at 22777 Springwoods Village Pkwy, Spring TX 77389 — immediately south of The Woodlands along I-45 — in the largest corporate relocation in Texas history. The campus consolidates approximately 10,000+ corporate employees including executives, engineers, geoscientists, finance professionals, and technology staff. Compensation at ExxonMobil HQ ranges from $80,000 for entry-level engineers to $300,000+ for senior technical fellows and senior management.
ExxonMobil’s campus relocation has been the primary driver of elevated SFR rental demand in The Woodlands since 2015–2016, particularly in the northern villages of Sterling Ridge, Indian Springs, and Creekside Park, which offer 10–15-minute commutes to the Springwoods Village campus. ExxonMobil offers relocation allowances to new hires, which typically fund initial deposits and first/last month’s rent, creating demand for mid-to-premium SFR rentals ($3,500–$6,000/month) among senior employees with families who need top Conroe ISD school zones.
Occidental Petroleum / Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation was headquartered at 1201 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands TX 77380 for decades, making The Woodlands one of the few communities in the country where an oil major’s world headquarters sits within a master-planned residential community. Occidental Petroleum acquired Anadarko in August 2019 for $38 billion; the Lake Robbins Dr campus now houses Occidental’s operations with approximately 1,500–2,500 employees. Occidental/Anadarko professionals are a core demand driver for Waterway-area luxury apartments and high-end SFR rentals.
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company HQ
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (CPChem) is headquartered at 10001 Six Pines Dr, The Woodlands TX 77380. CPChem is a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron Corporation and Phillips 66, with approximately $10+ billion in annual revenues from petrochemical production. The Woodlands HQ employs approximately 3,000–4,000 employees globally across its headquarters campus, including executive leadership, commercial, finance, engineering, and technical operations. CPChem professionals earn $80,000–$250,000+ and represent a consistent source of demand for Woodlands SFR and luxury apartment rentals.
HP Enterprise / Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Spring TX, adjacent)
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) maintains a major campus at 1701 E Mossy Oaks Rd, Spring TX 77389 — adjacent to The Woodlands and immediately north of the ExxonMobil campus along I-45. HPE’s Spring campus employs approximately 4,000–6,000 technology professionals in cloud computing, enterprise infrastructure, and professional services. HPE employees often prefer The Woodlands for Conroe ISD schools and master-planned amenities.
Memorial Hermann Hospital — The Woodlands
Memorial Hermann Hospital — The Woodlands (9250 Pinecroft Dr, The Woodlands TX 77380) is a major acute care hospital and medical center in The Woodlands. The hospital complex employs approximately 2,000–3,000 healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, and support staff, creating stable rental demand for apartments and SFR homes within 15 minutes of the hospital campus.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands TX 77380) is a 17,000-capacity outdoor performing arts venue that hosts approximately 80–100 events per year, including major national touring concerts. The Pavilion creates premium short-term rental demand around event nights for properties within 1–2 miles of Town Center, though The Woodlands Township deed restrictions may limit STR activity — check HOA rules before operating short-term rentals.
The Woodlands TX rental market by village / submarket
The Woodlands is organized into nine “villages,” each with distinct character, housing stock, and proximity to corporate campuses:
| Village / Area | 1BR Apt | 2BR Apt | 3BR SFR | Key demand driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Center / Waterway (luxury; walkable) | $1,600–$2,600 | $2,000–$3,200 | $2,500–$4,500+ | Occidental, CPChem HQs; Pavilion proximity |
| Sterling Ridge / Creekside Park (northwest) | $1,400–$2,200 | $1,800–$2,800 | $2,200–$4,000 | ExxonMobil campus (10–15 min); top CISD schools |
| Alden Bridge / Windsor Hills | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,700 | $2,000–$3,500 | Mid-community; all major employers accessible |
| Indian Springs / Cochran's Crossing | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,600 | $2,000–$3,400 | ExxonMobil / HP Enterprise proximity |
| South Woodlands / Grogan's Mill / Panther Creek | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,500–$2,400 | $1,800–$3,000 | Older stock; I-45 commuters; Memorial Hermann |
| Research Forest / Technology Forest corridor | $1,300–$2,000 | $1,700–$2,600 | $2,000–$3,200 | CPChem HQ; office park adjacent |
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 — security deposit rules
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 governs security deposits for The Woodlands / Montgomery County landlords:
- No statutory cap (§92.102): No Texas-imposed limit on deposit amounts. Premium Woodlands SFR rentals with pools, wine cellars, and smart home features may command $4,000–$8,000+ deposits.
- 30-day return deadline (§92.103): Return deposit with itemized list within 30 days of surrender. For SFR with pools, irrigation, and extensive landscaping, begin inspection immediately at move-out — 30 days passes quickly when coordinating pool companies and landscapers for damage assessment.
- Treble damages (§92.109): Bad-faith withholding = $100 + 3× amount + attorney fees. On a $5,000 deposit, a finding of bad faith could cost $15,100+ plus the tenant’s attorney fees.
- Pool and outdoor amenity documentation: The Woodlands SFR rentals frequently include pools, pool equipment, irrigation systems, and premium landscaping. Document ALL of these at move-in with a written checklist + video. Pool equipment (pumps, heaters, automation) is expensive to repair — document serial numbers and current operating status.
- Township deed restriction compliance: Tenant responsibility for exterior maintenance and deed restriction compliance should be explicitly addressed in the lease. HOA violations that result in citation-related costs (fines, remediation) may be chargeable to the tenant if properly documented.
Eviction process in Montgomery County / The Woodlands
- 3-day written notice to vacate (non-payment): Texas Property Code §24.005. Vacate-only — no cure option. Serve personally, by posting on front door, or by certified mail to the property address.
- File FED petition at Montgomery County JP Court after notice period expires. Most Woodlands properties are in JP Precincts 3 or 5. Montgomery County Justice Center: 21701 I-45 North, Conroe TX 77385. Filing fee: ~$100–$125.
- JP hearing within 10–21 days of filing. Bring lease, notice with proof of service, payment records, and any evidence of the violation.
- Judgment + appeal window: Tenant has 5 days to appeal to Montgomery County Court at Law. No appeal: request Writ of Possession.
- Constable lockout: Montgomery County Constable posts 24-hour notice on door, then executes the lockout. Self-help lockout without Writ is prohibited by §92.0081.
Total uncontested timeline: approximately 3–5 weeks.
Top 10 The Woodlands TX landlord compliance mistakes
- Missing the 30-day deposit return. SFR rentals with pools need immediate post-move-out inspection; set calendar reminders from day of surrender.
- No HOA/deed restriction lease clause. Tenants in The Woodlands must comply with Township Community Standards; include explicit lease language and make tenants responsible for fine-triggering violations.
- Deducting normal wear and tear. Standard carpet compression, minor paint scuffs, and loose hardware are not deductible. Document abnormal wear with dated photos.
- No pool/spa move-in documentation. Failure to document pool equipment condition creates expensive disputes; an undocumented pool pump or heater replacement claim will be challenged.
- Self-help eviction. Prohibited — §92.0081 penalties. Always use the JP Court + Constable Writ process.
- Wrong JP precinct filing. Verify The Woodlands property’s precinct before filing; address lookup tools at Montgomery County website.
- Not anticipating ExxonMobil/energy sector relocation. High-mobility corporate tenants may need early lease termination; negotiate early-termination fee clauses in advance rather than facing unlawful detainer proceedings.
- Misrepresenting Conroe ISD school zone. Woodlands families pay a premium specifically for Conroe ISD assignments; school zone misrepresentation is a Fair Housing risk (familial status discrimination).
- Ignoring SCRA obligations. Energy sector contractors with DOD contracts may be reservists; honor SCRA lease termination rights unconditionally.
- No §92.201 owner/manager disclosure. Technically required; non-compliance may affect the landlord’s ability to recover attorney fees in disputes.
Related Houston area rent increase pages
- Houston TX rent increase 2026
- Sugar Land TX rent increase 2026 (Fort Bend County)
- Katy TX rent increase 2026 (Harris/Waller/Fort Bend split)
- Pearland TX rent increase 2026 (Brazoria County)
- League City TX rent increase 2026 (Galveston/Harris split)
- Texas statewide rent increase laws 2026
The Woodlands TX rent increase FAQ
Does The Woodlands TX have rent control in 2026?
No. The Woodlands is an unincorporated community with no city ordinances. The Woodlands Township has no authority to enact rent control, and Texas Gov. Code §214.902 bars Montgomery County from doing so. No rent board, no cap, no filing requirements.
What is The Woodlands Township and how does it affect landlords?
The Woodlands Township is a special-purpose governmental entity providing municipal-like services without incorporation. It enforces deed restrictions through Community Standards — landlords must include tenant compliance obligations in the lease. No rental licensing, no rent stabilization, no local eviction requirements beyond Texas state law.
What are the major employers near The Woodlands TX?
ExxonMobil Global Campus (~10,000+, Spring TX adjacent); Occidental/Anadarko HQ (1201 Lake Robbins Dr; ~1,500–2,500); Chevron Phillips Chemical HQ (10001 Six Pines Dr); HP Enterprise (~4,000–6,000, Spring TX); Memorial Hermann The Woodlands (~2,000–3,000). These are among the highest-paying employers in Texas and the primary driver of Woodlands rental demand.
What are typical 2026 rent levels in The Woodlands TX?
Waterway/Town Center: 1BR $1,600–$2,600; 3BR $2,500–$4,500+. Sterling Ridge/Creekside: 1BR $1,400–$2,200; 3BR $2,200–$4,000. South Woodlands: 1BR $1,200–$1,800. ExxonMobil premium drives 20–35% higher SFR rents in northern villages vs. comparable Conroe-area properties.
What are the security deposit rules for The Woodlands TX landlords?
No deposit cap (§92.102). 30-day return with itemized list (§92.103). Treble damages for bad-faith withholding (§92.109). Document pool/spa/landscaping at move-in. SFR deposits of $4,000–$8,000 make proper handling essential.
How does eviction work in The Woodlands / Montgomery County?
3-day notice to vacate (non-payment; vacate only). File FED petition at Montgomery County JP Court (JP3 or JP5 for most Woodlands addresses). Hearing in 10–21 days. If landlord wins: 5-day appeal window; then Montgomery County Constable Writ + 24-hour door notice lockout. ~3–5 weeks total uncontested.
What notice is required to raise rent in The Woodlands TX?
MTM: at least 1 month advance written notice (§91.001). Fixed-term: rent locked for the term; offer renewal at new price before expiration. Serve by certified mail; retain proof. Offer renewals 60–90 days early given competitive Woodlands market and high-mobility ExxonMobil tenant base.
What are the biggest landlord mistakes in The Woodlands TX?
No HOA compliance clause in lease; missing the 30-day deposit deadline; no pool condition documentation; deducting normal wear and tear; wrong JP precinct filing; misrepresenting Conroe ISD school zone; self-help eviction.