Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Waxahachie

Find the right Tenant attorney in Waxahachie, TX

Tenant Law in Texas

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

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

Landlord's Rights in Waxahachie, TX

The most important and most evident 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.

Moreover, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't responsible for usual wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Waxahachie, TX

Most essentially, tenants have a right to get what they're paying for: a dwelling fit for human habitation. To this end, landlords have to confirm that the units they rent meet Waxahachie, Texas's minimum standards for habitability. These requirements are typicallyy not difficult to meet. They include basic amenities such as running water, electricity, a working phone line, heating, and protection from the elements.

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 Waxahachie, 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.

And lastly, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord usually 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 Waxahachie, Texas Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants generally want to avoid conflict with one another. Nonetheless, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you end up in a major dispute with a landlord or a tenant, a reliable Waxahachie, Texas landlord/tenant attorney can help.

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Life in Waxahachie

The city of Waxahachie, Texas isa suburb of the state capital of Dallas and houses a population of just under 22,000 residents. Waxahachie is an easy thirty mile drive to Dallas, making the suburb a popular place for the city worker to live. Waxahachie comprises almost forty two square miles. The city gets its unique name from the Native American word for "cow creek" or "buffalo creek." The city's economy is very industry-based, although there are also two universities located in Waxahachie: Southern Assemblies of God University and Navarro College. Early College High School, located in the heart of Waxahachie is considered one of the top high schools in the state of Texas. The city is also the site of an annual Renaissance fair that draws international attention. Waxahachie also has some notable legal landmarks. The Richardsonian Romanesque Courthouse, which is considered to be best of Texas' older courthouses is located in Waxahachie. With such a pretty location to practice, it is no wonder that there are so many great lawyers located in the city limits. Waxahachie lawyers are skilled in a range of practice areas and able to help their local client with any legal issue he or she is confronted with.

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