Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

Rent house put up for sale

Last June we signed a 2 year lease. Last week our landlord informed us that the house was going on the market. We assumed that we could get out of our lease early so that we may find another place to live within a reasonable time frame. We were informed that this wasn't an option we would have to sit out our lease unless the house sells and then we would be given a 30 day notice. Is this legal? I am very unclear about what rights we would have as tenants in Texas. To me this doesn't seem very fair because we no longer have a set date as to when we would be able to buy or rent another place to live. We don't know if the house will sell in a month or if we will be there until the end of our lease.


Asked on 4/17/06, 1:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

Re: Rent house put up for sale

Pull out your lease, and read it. It is a contract that spells out each party's responsibilities and obligations. There will be provisions for termination of the lease and breach of the lease.

Does either party have the right to unilaterally terminate the lease, without consequences, with a 30-day notice to the other party? My guess is that if the landlord has that right, then so does the tenant.

My guess is that the landlord also has to have cause to terminate the lease upon 30 days notice, and that the desire to sell the house, is not cause. Follow the directions of the lease, however, because if you breach it, it may give him cause.

Check out the landlord-tenant provisions of the Attorney General's website. It has excellent articles and FAQ on this subject.

Read more
Answered on 4/18/06, 12:04 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Texas