Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Amarillo

Find the right Tenant attorney in Amarillo, TX

Tenant Law in Texas

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

There are numerous 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 Amarillo, TX

The most important and most apparent right that a landlord has is the right to timely payment of rent from the tenant. This, of course, means that the tenant has a duty to pay rent.

Landlords also have a right to be free from damage to the rented unit. Tenants are expected not to damage their dwellings, intentionally or negligently. Landlords can deduct the cost of repairs from the tenant's security deposit. In general, tenants are not responsible for damage resulting from ordinary wear and tear.

Tenant's Rights in Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, Texas are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are numerous 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).

Moreover, tenants are entitled to common areas which are reasonably safe and clean, and free of physical obstacles. Areas such as lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes must comply with the building codes of Amarillo, Texas. Moreover, any other unreasonable safety hazard, even if it doesn't violate a specific provision of a building code, can create liability for the landlord if it injures a tenant.

Under the laws of Texas, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Moreover, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to permit the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

Lastly, tenants in most states have a right to be free from unfair eviction. Usually, lease agreements last for a set period of time, and both parties are bound by that contract. Landlords cannot arbitrarily evict clients while the lease is still in effect.

Can a Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, 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 Amarillo

Amarillo is the seat of Potter County and largest city in the Texas Panhandle with over 175,000 residents according to the 2000 Census. Known to most as the "yellow rose of Texas," Amarillo is also the self-proclaimed "helium capital of the world" because the United States' most productive helium fields are located in town. Amarillo was originally known throughout the United States as a capital for cattle trade.

The city's industry hasn't changed much, Amarillo is still the location where roughly 25% of the nation's beef supply is processed and is also home to the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Tyson Foods is Amarillo's largest employer attesting to the meatpacking heritage of the city. Healthcare, the Amarillo Independent School District, and the City of Amarillo are other top employers. Bell Helicopter Textron operates and assembly plant in Amarillo which is responsible for the V-22 Osprey and Marine One assembly.

The Globe News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo houses the Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Symphony, and Lone Star Ballet in addition to concerts. For those who want the Texas Cowboy experience, Amarillo plays host to the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo as well as the World Championship Chuckwagon Roundup that is a food festival featuring staples cowboys and pioneers historically ate in the area. The World Championship Ranch Rodeo is put on by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association and attracts accomplished cowboys from around the world. There's even a weekly cattle auction that's free to the public named the Amarillo Livestock Auction. The American Quarter Horse Association and Hall of Fame is another internationally known Amarillo organization.

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