(c) A fire extinguisher that satisfies the inspection requirements of Subsection (b) at the beginning of a tenant's possession is presumed to be in good working order until the tenant requests an inspection in writing. 1293), Sec. January 1, 2006. 3101), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2008. LIABILITY FOR WITHHOLDING LAST MONTH'S RENT. 92.167. (b) A landlord may not, within six months after the date of the tenant's action under Subsection (a), retaliate against the tenant by: (1) filing an eviction proceeding, except for the grounds stated by Section 92.332; (2) depriving the tenant of the use of the premises, except for reasons authorized by law; (4) increasing the tenant's rent or terminating the tenant's lease; or. 1, eff. Section 511. 92.016. 8, eff. Court costs may be waived only if the tenant executes a pauper's affidavit. 593 (S.B. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Sec. (a) A landlord is liable according to this subchapter if: (1) the landlord did not install a smoke alarm at the time of initial occupancy by the tenant as required by this subchapter or a municipal ordinance permitted by this subchapter; or. However, if the tenant's rent is subsidized in whole or in part by a governmental agency, the deduction limitation of one month's rent shall mean the fair market rent for the dwelling and not the rent that the tenant pays. 92.0131. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3645, ch. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3651, ch. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 12, eff. 16, eff. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1, eff. (d) This section does not affect the obligations or liability of the tenant or the tenant's estate under the lease before the lease is terminated under this section, including the liability of the tenant or the tenant's estate for: (2) damages to the leased premises not caused by normal wear and tear. (g) A provision of a lease that purports to waive a right or to exempt a party from a liability or duty under this section is void. 48, Sec. 650, Sec. 917 (H.B. (a) Except as provided by this section, the tenant has the burden of proof in a judicial action to enforce a right resulting from the landlord's failure to repair or remedy a condition under Section 92.052. 2, eff. 1, eff. These are as follows: . Austin law firm provides the personal attention that only a small firm can provide - Call Us Now - (512) 355-0155, 1601 Pfennig Lane Sept. 1, 1993. Sept. 1, 1997. 23.011, eff. (c-1) If the family violence is committed by a cotenant or occupant of the dwelling, a tenant may exercise the right to terminate the lease under the procedures provided by Subsection (b-1)(1)(A), (C), or (D) or (b-1)(2) and Subsection (c), except that the tenant is not required to provide the notice described by Subsection (c)(3). (D) the agreement is made knowingly, voluntarily, and for consideration. Jan. 1, 1984. 357, Sec. (3) changing the door locks on the door to the tenant's individual unit of a tenant who is delinquent in paying at least part of the rent. 92.351. Jan. 1, 1984. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER. What Does The Texas Landlord And Tenant Act Cover? A tenant of a landlord who is liable under Section 92.259 may obtain or exercise one or more of the following remedies: (1) a court order directing the landlord to comply with the tenant's request if the tenant is in possession of the dwelling unit; (2) a judgment against the landlord for damages suffered by the tenant because of the landlord's violation; (3) a judgment against the landlord for a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $100 if the landlord violates Section 92.259(a)(2); (4) a judgment against the landlord for court costs; (5) a judgment against the landlord for attorney's fees in an action under Subdivision (1) or (3); and. 801, Sec. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. (2) the landlord does not install, inspect, or repair the smoke alarm on or before the seventh day after the date the tenant gives the landlord written notice that the tenant may exercise his remedies under this subchapter if the landlord does not comply with the request within seven days. The reconnection fee must be computed based on the average cost to the landlord for the expenses associated with the reconnection, but may not exceed $10. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b), (e), (f), (g), and (h) and without necessity of request by the tenant, a dwelling must be equipped with: (1) a window latch on each exterior window of the dwelling; (2) a doorknob lock or keyed dead bolt on each exterior door; (3) a sliding door pin lock on each exterior sliding glass door of the dwelling; (4) a sliding door handle latch or a sliding door security bar on each exterior sliding glass door of the dwelling; and. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3649, ch. 34, eff. (b) A landlord who knowingly violates Section 92.006 by contracting orally or in writing with a tenant to waive the landlord's duty to repair under this subchapter shall be liable to the tenant for actual damages, a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $2,000, and reasonable attorney's fees. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1099), Sec. Sec. Jan. 1, 1984. (j) A tenant and a landlord may agree that the tenant waives a tenant's rights under this section if the tenant or any dependent living with the tenant moves into base housing or other housing within 30 miles of the dwelling. (c) For purposes of Subsection (b)(4) or (5), a landlord is considered to have received the tenant's notice when the landlord or the landlord's agent or employee has actually received the notice or when the United States Postal Service has attempted to deliver the notice to the landlord. However, this subchapter does not: (1) affect a local ordinance adopted before September 1, 1981, that requires landlords to install smoke alarms in new or remodeled dwelling units before September 1, 1981, if the ordinance conforms with or is amended to conform with this subchapter; (2) limit or prevent adoption or enforcement of a local ordinance relating to fire safety as a part of a building, fire, or housing code, including any requirements relating to the installation of smoke alarms or the type of smoke alarms; (3) otherwise limit or prevent the adoption of a local ordinance that conforms to this subchapter but which contains additional enforcement provisions, except as provided by Subsection (b); or. Sec. 92.102. 869, Sec. Sec. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (a), a dwelling to which this subchapter applies includes: (1) a room in a dormitory or rooming house; (3) a single family house, duplex, or triplex; and. Jan. 1, 1996. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. An owner of real property who files a notice of appeal of a judgment of a justice court to the county court perfects the owner's appeal and stays the effect of the judgment without the necessity of posting an appeal bond. September 1, 2021. Renumbered from Sec. APPLICATION. DEFINITIONS. (a) Except as provided by Section 92.107, the landlord shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises. (B) the agreement for repairs by the tenant is either underlined or printed in boldface in the lease or in a separate written addendum; (C) the agreement is specific and clear; and. SUBCHAPTER A. (b) A governmental body whose official or employee has requested information from a landlord who is liable under Section 92.202 or 92.204 may obtain or exercise one or more of the following remedies: (2) a judgment against the landlord for an amount equal to the governmental body's actual costs in discovering the information required to be disclosed by this subchapter; (3) a judgment against the landlord for $500; and. 92.202. 1, eff. 6, eff. 91.002 and amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Sept. 1, 1993. 2, eff. (5) engaging, in bad faith, in a course of conduct that materially interferes with the tenant's rights under the tenant's lease. A tenant may make an unlimited number of requests under this subsection. Amended as Sec. 4, eff. Sec. Jan. 1, 1984. 3, eff. (b) If the tenant gives notice under Subsection (a)(2) and the tenant's lease is in writing, the lease may require the tenant to make the initial request for installation, inspection, or repair of a smoke alarm in writing. 126, Sec. (a) If a security deposit was not required by a residential lease and the tenant is liable for damages and charges on surrender of the premises, the landlord shall notify the tenant in writing of the landlord's claim for damages and charges on or before the date the landlord reports the claim to a consumer reporting agency or third-party debt collector. (i) Except as provided by Subsection (j), a tenant's right to terminate a lease before the end of the lease term, vacate the dwelling, and avoid liability under this section may not be waived by a tenant. (b) Unless the condition was caused by normal wear and tear, the landlord does not have a duty during the lease term or a renewal or extension to repair or remedy a condition caused by: (2) a lawful occupant in the tenant's dwelling; (3) a member of the tenant's family; or. Following delivery of the affidavit, the landlord must continue diligent efforts to repair or remedy the condition. (a) A party who prevails in a suit brought under this subchapter or Subchapter B, E, or F may recover the party's costs of court and reasonable attorney's fees in relation to work reasonably expended. Most tenant insurance policies do not cover damages or loss incurred in a flood. Tenancy in common allows more than one person to own a property, such as a home or land parcel, at the same time. Sec. 576, Sec. 3101), Sec. 92.335. January 1, 2020. 2, eff. Our Team; Tips; FAQ; . 4, eff. 683, Sec. 92.161. (e) This section relates only to a fee, charge, or other sum of money required to be paid under the lease if rent is not paid as provided by Subsection (a)(3), and does not affect the landlord's right to terminate the lease or take other action permitted by the lease or other law. (d) A provision of a lease that purports to waive a right or exempt a party from a liability or duty under this section is void. LANDLORD'S FAILURE TO INSTALL, INSPECT, OR REPAIR. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3638, ch. DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT. The "Tenant Remedies" section of this brochure offers guidance for pursuing legal action against a landlord who is withholding a deposit refund. (c) A landlord who violates this section is liable to the tenant for an amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the amount of the late fee collected in violation of this section, and the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees. 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