Tenants' Rights Handbook
Eviction & Other Landlord Issues
The handbook at the link below is for residential tenants and is published as a public service by the Texas Young Lawyers Association. It is their goal that the distribution and use of the handbook will explain many of the questions and legal issues that arise in a landlord-tenant relationship. The table of contents for the handbook is below as well.
Special thanks to the Texas Young Lawyers Association.
Table of Contents
Overview - Page 1
Selecting Your New Home - Page 2
Application Fees - Page 2
The Lease and Important Provisions
Rent and Late Fees - Page 3
House Rules - Page 5
Landlord's Right To Enter - Page 5
Repair Language - Page 6
Occupants and Visitors - Page 6
Parking and Towing Rules and Policies - Page 6
Lease Time Period and Month-to-Month Leases - Page 7
Changing Terms in the Middle or End of a Lease - page 7
Moving Into Your New Home - Page 8
Information on Renters' Insurance from the Texas Department of Insurance - page 8
Tenant Rights and Remedies
Repairs and Improvements - Page 11
Locks and Security Devices - Page 17
Smoke Detectors - Page 18
Security Deposits - Page 20
Finding Out Who Owns and Manages the Premises - Page 23
Discrimination - Page 23
Landlord's Duty to Accommodate Tenants with Disabilities - Page 24
Serving Court Papers on Your Landlord - Page 25
Tenant Duties and Consequences
Lockouts - Page 25
Utility Disconnection - Page 26
Landlord's Right to Remove Property - Page 27
Subleasing - Page 29
Cotenancy - Page 29
Eviction - Pages 29
Termination and Moving
By Agreement - Page 33
The Lease Ends - Page 34
Termination for Landlord Failures or Military Transfers - Page 35
Termination for Tenant Breach - Page 35
Change in Landlord Usually Does Not Terminate the Lease - Page 35
Disagreements About Termination - 35
Consequences for Terminating Without Excuse - Page 36
Moving - Page 36
Mobile Homes - Page 37
Download Handbook
Visit the Tenants' Rights Handbook to learn more about your rights as a tenant.
Related Articles
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Eviction
This article explains eviction, including what it is and what steps you may want to take if you are facing eviction. -
Appealing an Eviction
Steps to appeal an eviction in Texas. -
Manufactured Homes - Owners' Rights
This article explains your rights when renting a lot for your mobile home, like whether you can be evicted from your lot.