Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

My landlord sent me an email to my work email saying that I would be evicted in 3 days for not paying the rent. It also happened to be a 3 day weekend so I didn't read it until it was too late. When I got to my apartment there was a letter on the door that said I was evicted and she had already changed all of the locks. I read online that I could ask for a key to the new locks, but she refused to give me one. She said she wasn't giving my property back and she would see me in court. She did not go through a legal process to evict me. The notice that was on my door was one that she had typed out herself.

What can I do to get my property back? And if she does take me to court will she win the case?


Asked on 10/30/13, 12:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sharon Campbell Sharon K. Campbell

You have been illegally locked out of your property. You should go to the justice of the peace and file a writ of re-entry. If your landlord wants to evict you, she has to go through the eviction process which includes filing a proceeding in court. You are not legally evicted until a judge says you are evicted. Another option is to call the police to see if they will make the landlord let you get your stuff but they may just say it is a civil matter. Find a landlord/tenant lawyer in your area.

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Answered on 11/01/13, 9:25 am


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