Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Denton

Find the right Tenant attorney in Denton, TX

Tenant Law in Texas

In Denton, Texas, relationships between tenants and landlords can sometimes become strained.

There are several 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 Denton, TX

The most important and most discernible 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.

They further have a right to compensation for any damage that a tenant causes, beyond ordinary wear and tear. Landlords are free to bill the tenants for repairs to damage they caused, and deduct the cost from the security deposit.

Tenant's Rights in Denton, 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 provide. Landlords in Denton, Texas are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are several factors that are considered in determining 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).

In addition to habitable living spaces, tenants also have a right to reasonably safe common areas. Common areas include lobbies, hallways, and stairwells - basically anything that everyone living in an apartment complex has access to. These common areas must meet the building standards of Denton, Texas, and must not contain any unnecessary safety hazards.

In the United States, and most likely under the rules of Texas, it is unlawful for renters or sellers of real estate to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, color, or religion. Doing so can subject a landlord to harsh civil penalties. Furthermore, they cannot discriminate based on physical disabilities, either. Tenants with physical disabilities, who are otherwise qualified to rent an apartment (they are able to pay, have good credit, etc.) are entitled to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible to them, and the landlord generally can't bar a tenant from doing this, as long as the modifications are not too extensive, and are reversible. The landlord can, however, require the tenant to remove the modifications, at the tenant's expense, when they move out.

And finally, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord typically can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a Denton, Texas Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to avoid conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, a Denton, Texas attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Denton

Denton, Texas is a major city and the county seat of Denton County. It is best known for its world-acclaimed live music scene. The city of Denton has produced a long list of famous musical artists and Grammy award-winning performers. It is also an excellent city in terms of residential housing and employment opportunities.

Denton's lively musical culture centers mostly around the University of North Texas. The University runs an excellent music department which has sprung the careers of artists such as Norah Jones, Don Henley, Meat Loaf, and Roy Orbison. Many graduates of the University of North Texas have signed with major recording labels. The University also maintains Winspear Auditorium, which hosts concerts throughout the year. The presence of the University of North Texas as well as Texas Women's University helps to create an enjoyable "college-town" atmosphere in Denton.

Other attractions in Denton, Texas include the Golden Triangle Mall, which is a shopping complex that has more than 90 specialty stores. Visitors also flock to Denton to attend the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival and the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo. These annual festivities attract crowds of over 300,000 people.

Denton, Texas lawyers practice law in many different fields to meet the needs of the community. Lawyers in Denton are often members of multiple bar associations and civic groups. The Denton County "Courthouse-on-the Square" is a popular historic museum located in the city.

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