Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

Can the manager turn off the electricity?

I live in a 17 story building. The owner pays the electrical utility. Each apartment is sub-metered and a charge is collected by the management for the usage.

My rent is due on the first. If not paid by the 5th. a late fee is charged.

This month, I could not pay on time. On Wednesday the 23rd. at noon, the manager turned off my electricity.

A note was put under my door the night before telling me the electricity would be turned off if I did not pay by noon. I did not see the note.

Is it legal to turn off the electricity for non-payment of rent? I have a month of security deposit on file.

If some one in my apartment was on some type of life support, they would be dead.

Thank You,

Wayne


Asked on 7/23/03, 4:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sharon Campbell Sharon K. Campbell

Re: Can the manager turn off the electricity?

If you are at least seven days late in rent, AND they send you FIVE DAYS advance notice, they can cut off the electricity. If they don't follow those procedures, you have a cause of action against them.

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Answered on 7/23/03, 10:19 pm


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