Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Mckinney

Find the right Tenant attorney in Mckinney, TX

Tenant Law in Texas

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

Both parties to a landlord/tenant relationship are governed by an extensive body of laws and regulations, defining their legal rights and obligations.

Landlord's Rights in Mckinney, TX

First and foremost, landlords have a right to timely payment of rent from their tenants, at the agreed-upon rate. This, of course, imposes on tenants a duty to pay their rent in full, in a timely manner.

Furthermore, landlords have a right to be compensated for damage a tenant causes to a rented unit, either intentionally or negligently. Landlords have a right to deduct repair costs from tenants' security deposits, unless the damage was caused by normal wear and tear, for which tenants are not accountable.

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

Additionally, tenants have rights to common areas that are free of physical obstructions, as well as serious health and safety hazards. Common areas are the places in apartment buildings and other residential complexes which every tenant can access, and include hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes. In Mckinney, Texas, these areas must be kept in a safe condition, at the landlord's expense.

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. However, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Finally, tenants are legally protected from arbitrary eviction. Landlords typically must have a very good reason to evict a tenant before the lease agreement reaches the end of its term (at this point, they are of course allowed to decline to renew the lease). Of course, if the tenant breaches the lease agreement (such as by failing to pay rent, damaging the property, or violating other reasonable rules the landlord has put in the lease), the landlord, like a party to any other contract, is free to terminate the agreement and evict the breaching tenant.

Can a Mckinney, 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 Mckinney, Texas attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Mckinney

McKinney is located in Collin County, Texas. It has a population similar to Plano, Texas. McKinney is home to around 131,100 people.

An interesting fact is that in 2007 McKinney is ranked as the second fastest growing city. CNN Money Magazine included it in its list of "Best Places to Live in the U.S."

Top employers include McKinney Independent School District, Wal-Mart, Lattimore Materials, Blockbuster Entertainment Group, Medical Center of McKinney, Torchmark Corporation, and Encore Wire. The legal industry also has a presence in McKinney because many well-established and experienced lawyers have made a home in McKinney. Therefore, residents and businesses have competent attorneys to handle their legal issues.

Overall, this is a great city to visit or live in!

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