Selling a San Antonio Rental Home With Tenants in Place (2026)

By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381).

Yes, you can sell a rental home in San Antonio while a tenant lives there. The two big decisions are whether the lease ends before closing or passes to the buyer, and how you will handle showings without straining the relationship with your tenant. Here is what Texas rules and the standard contract forms say.

Option 1: Sell with the lease in place (to an investor)

  • The buyer takes over the lease and the rent. This suits investors who want a home that is already producing income.
  • Lease documents: Under the TREC Addendum Regarding Residential Leases, the seller delivers copies of the lease and related documents before signing or within three days after the contract's effective date.
  • Lease status: The seller confirms a set of statements about the lease, rent payments and any disputes with tenants, and explains anything that is not true.
  • Security deposit: The seller delivers the tenant's deposit to the buyer at closing. Under Texas Property Code § 92.105, the new owner becomes responsible for returning deposits from the date it takes title and must give the tenant a signed statement with the exact deposit amount. The former owner stays liable until the deposit is transferred or the new owner assumes that liability.
  • After the addendum is signed, the seller should not sign or change a lease without the buyer's written consent.

Option 2: End the lease and sell vacant (to a homeowner)

  • Most owner-occupant buyers want to move in at closing, so a vacant home reaches more buyers and is easier to show, repair and stage.
  • If you agree in the contract that the lease will end by closing, you must be sure you have the right to end it. If the tenant is still there at closing, you can be in default. Ask a real estate attorney to read your lease; agents cannot interpret lease terms for you.
  • The simplest timing is often to list near the end of the lease term, or to offer the tenant a mutual early move-out agreement in writing.

Showings while the tenant lives there

  • Texas law does not set a specific advance-notice period for landlord entry. Your lease controls, and repeated short-notice entries can interfere with the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment.
  • Read the lease's access clause before you list, then agree on showing windows with your tenant in writing.
  • Small courtesies help: fewer, grouped showings, a cleaning visit before photos, and a rent credit for the inconvenience if you choose to offer one.
  • Protect the tenant's privacy and belongings in photos and during showings.

Quick checklist before you list

  1. Find the lease end date, renewal terms and access clause.
  2. Gather the lease, any amendments, the move-in condition form and the deposit amount.
  3. Decide: investor sale with the lease, or vacant sale to a homeowner.
  4. Get a pricing analysis for both paths. See how to price your San Antonio home.
  5. Complete the Texas Seller's Disclosure Notice. See what San Antonio sellers must disclose.

How I help landlords sell

I work directly with each seller as an individual agent. For rental homes, I compare the likely price as an investor sale and as a vacant sale, plan showings around your tenant and your lease, and market the home to the buyers who fit, across San Antonio and nearby areas such as Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Schertz and Cibolo. RealTrends Verified lists me at No. 21 in San Antonio by transaction sides, based on 2025 sales data.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my house in Texas if a tenant lives in it?

Yes. You can sell with the lease passing to the buyer, or agree that the lease will end by closing if your lease allows it. The TREC Addendum Regarding Residential Leases records which path you choose.

What happens to the tenant's security deposit when a Texas rental is sold?

Under Texas Property Code § 92.105, the new owner is responsible for returning the deposit from the date it takes title and must give the tenant a signed statement with the deposit amount. Under the TREC addendum, the seller delivers the deposit to the buyer at closing.

How much notice must a Texas landlord give before a showing?

Texas law does not set a specific notice period; the lease controls. Agree on showing times with your tenant in writing.

Who is Chris Dudley?

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio, Texas REALTOR® and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). He is not affiliated with real estate agents of the same name in Arizona or Virginia.

This page is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your lease, talk with a Texas real estate attorney.

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Thinking about selling a rental? Call Chris Dudley at (210) 838-6099. Office: 8626 Tesoro Dr, Suite 208, San Antonio, TX 78217. Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM.