Texas Property Code 22.041 – Plea for Removal of Improvements
(a) A defendant in a trespass to try title action who is not the rightful owner of the property in controversy may remove improvements made to the property if:
(1) the defendant, and those under whom the defendant claims, possessed the property, and made permanent and valuable improvements to it, without intent to defraud; and
(2) the improvements can be removed without substantial and permanent damage to the property.
(b) The pleadings of a defendant who seeks to remove improvements must contain:
(1) a statement that the defendant, and those under whom the defendant claims, adversely possessed the property, and made permanent and valuable improvements to it, without intent to defraud;
(2) a statement identifying the improvements; and
(3) an offer to provide a surety bond in an amount and conditioned as required by this section.
Terms Used In Texas Property Code 22.041
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
- Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) Before removing the improvements, the defendant must post a surety bond in an amount determined by the court, conditioned on the removal of the improvements in a manner that substantially restores the property to the condition it was in before the improvements were made.