Landlords and Tenants Rights and Services

Issues

Landlord tenant rights are an area of concern for many people. Landlord questions may involve business lock out, residential eviction or apparent abandonment of the premises or suit for unpaid rent.

Tenant questions include eviction defense, wrongful lock out or failure to repair, failure to provide security locks, retaliation for requesting repairs, or failure to return or itemize security deposit charges.

Eviction suits are filed in the justice of the peace court where the rental property lies.  That JP Court can answer questions about fees, procedures and timing.  Most courts have forms for landlords to file evictions.  Usually they want the landlord to attach the 3 day rent nonpayment or 30 day notice of intent not to renew the lease to the eviction suit.  Usually a 3 day written notice to vacate must be given after the 30 day notice and before eviction suit can be filed.

In Austin, both Texas and Austin Apartment Associations (link) as well as the Austin Tenant?s Council (link) provides advice, forms, and assistance to landlords and tenants as problems and questions arise. Legal Aid represents tenants in Section 8 and other subsidized housing eviction cases (link).  However, in private rental suits you may want an attorney to represent you in Court if a problem goes that far.

How we can help

We provide general advice and document preparation or review includes residential and business leases and the ongoing relationship of landlords and tenants.