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Landlord-Tenant

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

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

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

Texas Tenants Advisor (Separate Website)

By: Texas Low Income Housing Information Service

2011 Referral Directory Legal Services and Other Resources This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

Legal services and other resources for low-income Texans.
By: Texas Lawyers Care

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

Cash Rental Payments

By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

Discrimination in Rental Housing This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - Austin

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

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.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Read this in: Spanish / Español

How to Select a Lawyer This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)

By: The State Bar of Texas

Landlord and Tenants Guide This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)

By: Real Estate Center -- Mays Business School

Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)

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