Tenant Rights in Houston, Texas
Texas law explains how the business relationship between the landlord and a tenant should work, and provides tenants with protection against unlawful acts by their landlords. Tenants in Houston have rights to live in a peaceful and safe property, providing they abide by the terms of their lease.
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Lease Agreements
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Tenants in Houston can rent properties with a standard lease agreement or a month-to-month lease agreement. A standard lease agreement lasts for a specific period of time, such as one year, while a month-to-month lease agreement lasts for 30 days. The lease should state the amount of rent, any required deposits and list any rules the landlord expects the tenant to follow. It should also include any maintenance the landlord will perform on the property, such as repairs to appliances. Once signed, the landlord and the tenant are legally bound to the lease agreement.
Fees
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Landlords can charge prospective tenants an application fee. However, the landlord must return this fee to the prospective tenant if he does not approve the application. Upon moving in, most landlords charge tenants a security deposit. The landlord must return this security deposit, less any damages to the property caused by the tenant, within 30 days of the tenant vacating the property, according to the Texas Young Lawyers Association. The landlord will also charge a monthly rental fee. Landlords cannot raise the price of rent during a lease agreement. However, the landlord can charge a late fee for rent payments providing he listed the late fee in the lease.
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Safety And Maintenance
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Before a tenant moves into a rental property, the landlord must rekey each lock on the unit and test all of the smoke detectors. The landlord must also install a keyless deadbolt on the main door of the property if one does not already exist. Under Texas law, a landlord is only required to make repairs to rental properties that endanger the health and safety of the tenant, such as repairing faulty wiring. The landlord does not have to make cosmetic repairs or repair appliances unless stated in the lease agreement.
Evictions
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A landlord can evict a tenant for breaking the lease agreement. For example, if the tenant fails to pay the monthly rent. However, landlords must follow proper evictions procedures in the state of Texas. The landlord must provide the tenant with notice to vacate at least three days before he files for an eviction, according to the Young Texas Lawyers Association. After the notice period, the landlord can file an eviction with a local court.
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