Find out about your rights, get answers to frequently asked legal questions and access forms
There are 34 resource(s) on TexasLawHelp
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Landlord-Tenant
Privacy
(Separate Website)
A landlord does not have the right to enter your home whenever they want to. When you are at home, the landlord can only enter with your permission. There may be circumstances where the landlord can enter your apartment when you are not home. These will be spelled out in your lease. Read this to find out more regarding your right of possession.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Repairs
(Separate Website)
While a landlord usually has a duty to make repairs to your home, getting the landlord to make repairs can be hard. Read this to find out the steps you should take to try to get your landlord to repair a problem and what your options are if the landlord doesn't make repairs you think are necessary.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Repairs
(Separate Website)
Tenants have the right to have any condition that threatens their health or safety repaired.
By: Austin Tenant's Council
Retaliation
(Separate Website)
Retaliation is when the landlord wrongfully takes action against a tenant for exercising their rights. Read this to find out when retaliation is illegal and what you can do if your landlord wrongfully retaliates against you.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Roommates
(Separate Website)
Read this to find out what you can do if you have problems with a roommate.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Security Deposit
(Separate Website)
A landlord is entitled to collect a security deposit from a tenant as security against property damage. However, there are rules governing security deposits. Find out what the rules are and how to get your security deposit back when you move.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Smoke Detectors
(Separate Website)
Smoke detectors are required by Texas law. Read this to find out what landlords are required to do about smoke detectors.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Subleases
(Separate Website)
Read this to find out what a "sublease" is and the pitfalls of "subletting."
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Utilities
(Separate Website)
Special rules for utilities apply for renters. These rules mainly apply to the landlord. Read this if you are a renter and are having problems with your utilities that may be related to your landlord. If the problem is with your utility company, you should contact the utility or the Public Utility Commission's Customer Protection Division.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Who Owns the Property?
(Separate Website)
Who owns the property where you are renting? As a tenant, you have right to know who owns the property and the name and address of the management company (if there is one) that runs the property. Read this to find out more.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Security deposits: Having trouble getting back your deposit.
(Separate Website)
There is a law you should know about, view this video.
By: Texas Young Lawyers Association
Sue Your Landlord
(Separate Website)
Suing your landlord is relatively easy. The hard part is knowing when to sue your landlord. Always try to work out any problems with your landlord. If that doesn't work, this will guide you through the process of suing your landlord in small claims court. This document give a general overview. There are also forms on Texas Tenant Advisor for many of the specific topics listed there and on TexasLawHelp, so first look to see if your problem is addressed.
By: Texas Tenants Advisor
Tenants Have New Rights If Landlord Foreclosed On
Tenants in Texas previously were forced to vacate by the new owner after a foreclosure sale. A new federal law passed in May 2009 requires new owners of property who purchase property at a foreclosure sale to continue to rent to anyone that was a tenant before the sale.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - Austin
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If you are in need of legal assistance and you are not low-income, please contact your local lawyer referral service or call the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Information Service, Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-800-252-9690 or 1-877-9TEXBAR.