Private-property rights in Texas gained a huge victory last month when the Texas Supreme Court unanimously sided with a San Antonio-area homeowner who was renting out his property on a short-term basis.

The homeowners association for the neighborhood claimed that this was a violation of the deed restrictions limiting property use to “residential purposes.” However, the justices ruled that short-term rentals are residential uses.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® sees this as a significant win for property owners across the state, as TAR has consistently stated that homeowners should be able to use their homes how they see fit, including as short-term rentals, without government intrusion.

While TAR did not file a “friend of the court” brief in this case, TAR closely monitored this case throughout the court process. Look for a more extensive review of the case and its impact on private-property rights in a future issue of Texas REALTOR® magazine.