Landlord-Tenant Relations

• Author: Cindy Stormer
• Pages: 539-574

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CHAPTER 5

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I. General Points

§5:01 Rental Agreements and Leases

§5:02 The Initial Client Interview

§5:03 Self-Representation

II. Forcible Entry and Forcible Detainer (Eviction)

A. General Points

§5:10 Definitions

§5:11 Bad Faith or Harassment

§5:12 Attorneys’ Fees

§5:13 Non-Lawyer Representation

§5:14 Eviction by New Owner of Building After Foreclosure

§5:15 The Lockout Alternative

§5:16 Wrongful Eviction

§5:17 Constructive Eviction

B. The Eviction Action

§5:20 Statute of Limitations

§5:21 Jurisdiction

§5:22 Proper Parties

§5:23 Notice to Vacate

§5:24 Demand for Attorneys’ Fees

§5:25 The Petition

§5:26 Service of Process

§5:27 Substituted Service Supports Default Judgment

§5:28 The Answer

§5:29 Issues in Eviction Actions

§5:30 The Eviction Hearing

§5:31 Writ of Possession

§5:32 Appeal

III. Landlord’s Duties

A. Deposits and Payments

§5:40 Duty to Mitigate Damages

TEXAS SMALL-FIRM PRACTICE TOOLS 5−2

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§5:41 Cash Payments

§5:42 Rental Application Deposit

§5:43 Refund of Security Deposits

§5:44 Bad Faith Retention of Security Deposit

§5:45 Late Fees

§5:46 Premises Liability With Leased Premises; Common Area and Retained-Control

B. Condition of the Unit

§5:50 Smoke Detectors

§5:51 Security Devices

§5:52 Utilities

C. Liens and Seized Property

1. Residential Leases

§5:60 General Points

§5:61 Seizure of Property

§5:62 Sale of Property

2. Commercial Leases

§5:65 Commercial Buildings

§5:66 Agricultural Products or Crops

IV. Tenant’s Rights and Duties

§5:70 Tenant’s Obligations Under the Lease

§5:71 No Subletting

§5:72 Fixtures

§5:73 Requesting Repairs

§5:74 Lien on Landlord’s Property

§5:75 Last Month’s Rent

§5:76 Receipt for Cash Payment

§5:77 Right to Summon Emergency Assistance

§5:78 Mobile Home Lots

§5:79 Right to Vacate and Avoid Liability Following Certain Sex Offenses

V. Tenant’s Repair and Deduct Remedy

§5:80 Repair and Deduct Procedure

§5:81 Improper Repair and Deduct

§5:82 Casualty Loss

§5:83 Closing the Unit

§5:84 Landlord May Not Retaliate

VI. Personal Property Left on Premises

§5:90 Property Removed From Premises

§5:91 Property That Must Be Returned to the Tenant

§5:92 Property Presumed Abandoned After Three Years

§5:93 Tenant’s Remedy for Improper Removal

VII. Fair Housing Practices

§5:100 Discrimination Prohibited

§5:101 Familial Status as Discrimination

§5:102 Disabilities

§5:103 Contact Government Officials

§5:104 Enforcement and Appointment of Attorney

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§5:105 The Complaint

§5:106 Civil Penalties

§5:107 Criminal Penalties

Forms

Form 5:10 [Reserved]

Form 5:20 Lease—Residential

Form 5:30 Lease—Agricultural

Form 5:40 Client Intake Questionnaire

Form 5:50 Checklist for Evictions

Form 5:60 Instructions for the Eviction Case

Form 5:70 Eviction Notice Letter

Form 5:80 Eviction Petition

Form 5:90 Courtroom Script

Form 5:100 Release of Lease

Form 5:101 Letter to Landlord