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Landlord-Tenant
Legal Resources
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Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All
Booklet covers the various aspects of the Fair Housing Act and the protections it provides. Content Detail
- By:
- U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
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- English
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Retaliation
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. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Application Fees
When you apply to rent a residence, some landlords charge a nonrefundable application fee to pay for the costs or screening a rental application. They may also ask for an application deposit, which is refundable to you if you are rejected as a tenant. Typically, if you are accepted as a tenant, your application will provide that your application deposit is converted in all or part into your security deposit. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Early Termination of Lease
You should read your lease carefully to see if it allows you to move out before your lease expires, and, if it does, what sort of notice to your landlord is required. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Eviction Appeals to County Court
If the Justice of the Peace (J.P.) judge rules against you in an eviction case and signs a Judgment for your eviction, you have the right to appeal. If you do not appeal the decision of the J.P. within five days and you do not move out, your landlord can ask the J.P. for a ?writ of possession?, which allows the constable or sheriff to give you a 24-hour warning and then to supervise the removal of your family and your belongings from the premises. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Eviction from Mobile Home Parks
If you own your mobile home and are renting a lot from a mobile home park, you have additional protections if you face the threat of eviction. Of course, you should try to talk to your landlord to see if you can resolve your differences. Your interest may be better served if you work something out without having to go to court. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Evictions in Justice of the Peace (J.P.) Court
If you are being threatened with eviction, you should try to talk to your landlord to see if you can resolve your differences. Your interests may be better served if you work something out with the landlord without having to go to court. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Finding Out Who Owns the Property
As a tenant, you have the right to know the name and address of the owner of the premises. You also have the right to know the name and street address of any property management company that is managing your house or apartment. The landlord may satisfy the duty of disclosure by providing you with a written copy of the information, by having the information posted continuously in a conspicuous place in the apartment complex or resident manager's office, or by having the information included in your copy of the written lease agreement or house rules. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Landlord Claims Against You for Debt
If your former landlord claims you owe a debt as a result of your tenancy, you should contact the landlord with a proposal for resolving this matter. Often landlords are willing to accept less than the amount they originally say you owe. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Landlord Seizure of Property
Under Texas law, a landlord cannot seize any of your property for delinquent rent unless you have a written lease that allows such action (enforcing a landlord lien) and that section is underlined or in conspicuous bold print. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Right to Summon Police
A landlord may not prohibit or limit a tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance in response to family violence. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Security Deposits
A landlord can only deduct from your security deposit any rent, damages, and other charges for which you are legally liable under the lease agreement. Read More
- By:
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
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Suing for Repairs in Justice of the Peace Court
If you have followed the proper procedure to seek repairs from your landlord, and your landlord has not made those necessary repairs, then you can sue to enforce your landlord?s duty to make those repairs. Read More
- By:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Lea esto en:
- English
