Tenants’ Rights Handbook

T E X A S Y O U N G L A W Y E R S A S S O C I A T I O N A N D S T A T E B A R O F T E X A S Tenants’ Rights Handbook A TENANTS’ RIGHTS HANDBOOK Prepared and distributed as a Public Service by the Texas Young Lawyers Association and the State Bar of Texas 2009 For more information:www.texaslawhelp.org (c)1985, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009 FOREWORD This handbook is for residential tenants and is published as a public service by theTexasYoung Lawyers Association. It is our sincere hope that distribution and use of this handbook will explain many of the questions and legal issues that arise in a landlord-tenant relationship. This handbook is intended to provide general guidance only. It is not a substitute for the advice of a lawyer. The Texas Young Lawyers Association hopes, however, that by providing Texas residents with a better understanding of their legal rights and remedies, this hand-book will help prevent many legal problems from ever arising. TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW..................................................................................1 Warning .........................................................................................1 SELECTING YOUR NEW HOME.............................................2 Application Fees.............................................................................3 THE LEASE AND IMPORTANT PROVISIONS .......................3 Rent and Late Fees.........................................................................4 House Rules...................................................................................5 Landlord’s Right to Enter...............................................................6 Repair Language.............................................................................6 Occupants and Visitors ..................................................................6 Parking and Towing Rules and Policies...........................................7 Lease Time Period and Month-to-Month Leases............................7 Changing Terms in the Middle or End of a Lease..........................8 MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME.......................................8 INFORMATION ON RENTERS’ INSURANCE FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE..................9 TENANT RIGHTS AND REMEDIES......................................11 Repairs and Improvements...........................................................11 Exceptions to the Landlord’s Duty to Repair...............................12 Procedure for Obtaining Repairs................................................13 Exception For Major Damage ...................................................17 Retaliation for Requesting Repairs or Exercising Your Rights as a Tenant.........................................................................17 Withholding Rent Is Almost Always a Bad Idea..........................18 Improving or Changing the Premises..........................................18 Condemned or Closing Property ................................................18 Governmental Fines..................................................................19 Locks and Security Devices ..........................................................19 Landlord Must Rekey Between Tenancies....................................20 Procedure and Remedies for Lock Problems ................................20 Smoke Detectors ..........................................................................21 Landlord’s Duty to Inspect and Repair.......................................21 Procedure and Remedies for Smoke Detector Problems ................21 Tenant Disabling of Smoke Detector..........................................22 Security Deposits..........................................................................22 Landlord Must Refund or Explain Within 30 Days....................22 Exceptions and Miscellaneous....................................................23 Security Deposit of a Deceased Tenant........................................23 Hold Deposits...........................................................................24 Don’t Use Deposit As Last Month’s Rent.....................................24 Tenant’s Rights regarding Emergencies, Family Violence, and Military Service ..................................................................24 ... - tailieumienphi.vn