When a tenant who paid off an eviction judgment asks the court to mark it satisfied and the landlord does not respond within 15 days, the filing fee is waived, no hearing is held, the judgment is treated as satisfied once the tenant shows proof of payment, and the court may choose to seal the eviction.
Official title: evictions; satisfaction of judgments
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeA party who paid a judgment could ask the court to compel a "satisfaction of judgment" (a filing showing the judgment is paid) if the winning party did not file one within 40 days, and the judge could hold a hearing on it.
NowIf a tenant files this request against a landlord after an eviction case and the landlord does not respond within 15 days, the judge or justice of the peace may not hold a hearing on it. In justice court, the 15 days count from when the request is filed and served as the eviction court rules require.
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NowIn that same situation, the fee for filing the request is waived.
BeforeThe judgment was deemed satisfied if the court granted the request.
NowIn that same situation, the judgment is deemed satisfied once the tenant submits proof of payment. In justice court, the proof must be an affidavit (a sworn written statement) showing proof of payment.
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NowIn superior court, the judge may order all records related to the eviction case sealed under the state's eviction-sealing law. In justice court, the justice of the peace may, at their discretion, seal the eviction under that law if they believe sealing is an appropriate remedy for the landlord's failure to file the satisfaction of judgment within 40 days.
Who it affects
- Tenants who have paid off an eviction judgment
- Landlords who won eviction judgments
- Justice courts and superior courts
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- How much the waived filing fee is
- Whether a judge can still require the tenant to post a bond equal to the judgment in these cases
- What sealing an eviction under the referenced law involves or who can see sealed records
- What happens if the landlord does respond within 15 days
- Whether the new rules apply to eviction judgments paid before the law takes effect
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.