Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Longview

Find the right Tenant attorney in Longview, TX

Tenant Law in Texas

In Longview, Texas, relationships between tenants and landlords can occasionally become strained.

There are various rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in Longview, TX

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is usually able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Landlords also have a right to be paid for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. All damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Longview, TX

The most basic right of a tenant is the right to a living space that's fit for human habitation. This is, after all, what they're paying the landlord to present. Landlords in Longview, Texas are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are various factors that are considered in deciding if an unit is habitable or not, but, generally, an unit will not be deemed habitable if it lacks any of the following: running water, electricity, heat, and protection from the elements (such as proper insulation, and windows that close).

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Longview, Texas's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are obligated to make, at their own expense, the required repairs.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Texas law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Additionally, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. Nonetheless, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Tenants are also legally safeguarded from unfair eviction. Before a lease agreement expires, landlords cannot evict tenants unless they breach as significant term of the agreement by not paying rent, causing serious damage to the property, engaging in activities that are a nuisance to the other tenants, or engaging in illegal activity on the property, among other things.

Can a Longview, Texas Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Tenants and landlords always want to avoid getting into any serious disputes - these disputes interfere with the tenant's living arrangement, and the landlord's business. In short, they help nobody. While a good Longview, Texas attorney can definately help his or her client prevail in such a dispute, they may be more essential for their ability to help prevent such disputes from escalating in the first place.

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Life in Longview

Longview is located in both Gregg and Harrison Counties, in the state of Texas. It has a population of around 80,500 people. Surrounding highways include Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80, and U.S. Highway 259. The beautiful Sabine River is quite near!

Most residents are employed by East Texas Oil Field, Kohl's, Starbucks, Target, and Wal-Mart. As evidence, the retail industry drives the economy. Some well-experienced lawyers who have wanted a break from the large firm scene have established small law offices in Longview. These attorneys are capable of handling any and every legal need.

Some famous poeple who have called Longview home include Rodney Carrington, Chris Davis, Evonne Hsu, Bill P. Keith, Malcolm Kelly, Linda Maxey, Mike Martin, Miranda Lambert, Ben Spies, James Street, Frank Steen and Bobby Taylor.

Overall, Longview is a great place to live or visit.

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