The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under Tex. Prop. Code Sections 92.101 to 92.113, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 30 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
The 30-day return clock generally starts after the tenant surrenders the unit and gives the landlord a written forwarding address. If money is kept, an itemized deduction list is expected.
This dispute type
Once the Texas deadline passes, the dispute stops being only about the deductions and becomes a deadline-compliance problem too. A landlord may still argue damage existed, but Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101 to 92.113 sets the clock for returning the balance and explaining any amount withheld.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: $100 plus 3x the portion wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees