Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

I have a friend that is staying with her mom in texas and from what I understand they are in the process of moving and she has talked to the landlord and given her money and I believe rent is normally due on the 31st but now it is the 5th and the land lord wants a whole months rent. On the day that they are moving out, the land lord puts a lock on the door preventing them from getting their belongings. The daughter is pregnant and has medication. Her 2 kids 5 and 9yrs old have their food and pretty much were thrown out on the streets. From what I hear it is a pretty bad landlord. She has a lot of illegal alien tennants. so there are no contracts and practices locking them out to get her money. From what Im told she doesnt claim all of her rooms she is renting out and pockets that money so she is prolly not claiming everything on her taxes and what not. They did not get any written notice informing them that they would have a lock on the door. Is there anything they can do, besides talk to her tomorrow and see if they can get their stuff


Asked on 9/06/10, 12:20 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

Read the section on the Texas Attorney General website for consumers, under landlord tenant. By law, the landlord has to provide a new key to the locks. The section gives instructions. If the landlord does not follow this to the letter your friend has legal recourse, including damages and attorney fees.

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Answered on 9/11/10, 9:14 am


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