Some landlords prefer oral agreements, but it is more common for them to require your signature on a written lease. Be sure to read the lease carefully before you sign it.
If you want to change part of the lease, discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord agrees, the two of you should decide how you want to word the change and then write it into the agreement. Both you and the landlord should then initial the change. For example, many standard leases prohibit pets, but your landlord may be willing to accept a pet if you put down extra money as security.
Your rights as a tenant include the right to "quiet enjoyment," a legal term. This means your landlord cannot evict you without cause or otherwise disturb your right to live in peace and quiet.
If other tenants in your building are disturbing you, you should complain to the landlord. Of course, you may not disturb other tenants either.
Except under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, a landlord may not interrupt utilities to a tenant unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency. See Tex. Prop. Code Ann., § 92.008.
You have a right to demand that the landlord repair any condition that materially affects your physical health or safety. § 92.052.
Justices of the peace have authority to order landlords to repair or remedy conditions affecting a tenant's physical health or safety, as long as the cost of the repair does not exceed $10,000. Tenants can go to justice court without an attorney to obtain a repair order. § 92.0563.
Unless the need for repair was created by “normal wear and tear,” the landlord does not have a duty to repair problems caused by you, another lawful occupant, a member of your household, or your guests. § 92.052. Under certain conditions, you and the landlord may have a written agreement that you will make needed repairs.
The landlord must also provide smoke detectors. Pursuant to the Texas Property Code Chapter 92, Subchapter F, you may not waive that provision, and you may not disconnect or disable the smoke detector.
Although there are some specific exceptions, under the Texas Property Code Chapter 92, Subchapter D, a dwelling must be equipped with security devices such as window latches, keyed dead bolts on exterior doors, sliding door pin locks and sliding door handle latches or sliding door security bars, and door viewers. § 92.153.
These devices must be installed at the landlord's expense. If such devices are missing or are defective, you have the right to request their installation or repair.
If the landlord won't make repairs needed to protect your health, safety, or security, and you follow the procedures required by law, you may be entitled to:
§§ 92.056 and 92.0561. To recover under one of the methods above, you MUST follow these steps:
Under Texas law, it is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against you for complaining in good faith about necessary repairs for a period of six months from the date you made such a complaint. §§ 92.331-92.335. Of course, you can always be evicted if you fail to pay your rent on time, threaten the safety of the landlord, or intentionally damage the property.
You do not have a right to withhold rent because the landlord fails to make repairs when the condition needing repair does not materially affect your physical health or safety. If you try this method, the landlord may file suit against you. § 92.058.
Recovering Your Deposit. Most landlords require you to pay a security deposit to cover any repairs needed when you move out or to cover your failure to pay the last month's rent. By law, landlords cannot refuse to return the deposit without a valid reason. §§ 92.101-92.109.
Deductions for damages. Under Texas law, you must give the landlord a forwarding address in order to receive your returned security deposit. The landlord must return your deposit — less any amount deducted for damages — within 30 days. If the landlord withholds part or all of your deposit, they must give you an itemized list of deductions with a description of the damages.
Normal wear and tear. The landlord may not charge you for normal wear and tear on the premises and may only charge for actual abnormal damage. For example, if the carpet simply becomes more worn because you and your guests walked on it for a year, the landlord may not charge you for a new carpet. If your water bed leaks and the carpet becomes mildewed as a result, you may be charged.
Advance notice requirements. You should check your rental agreement to see if it requires you to give the landlord advance notice that you are moving. Many leases require a 30-day notice as a condition of returning your deposit.
If you give your landlord your new address in writing and you do not receive your deposit or an explanation within 30 days of your departure, contact the landlord. If you cannot resolve the problem satisfactorily, you may wish to consult an attorney. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau or your local tenants’ council. You can also file a complaint with this office.
