Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

Im being sued by a family member. I lived in his home for almost three years and I moved in with the ​verbal ​agreement that he would sell the home to me in 2 years. We didn't have a written agreement. I was allowed to make any changes I wanted to. So I replaced and upgraded a lot of the home including the appliances. In the end he choose to put it on the market and not sell it to me. When I vacated the home I took my ​stainless steel ​appliances and replaced them with used​, working condition ones that were of what I felt are of equal value that he had in the home. I left behind all the other upgrades I did such as new double sink in the kitchen, faucets, hardwood flooring, new vanity & sink, mirror ect. ​THe day we moved in he gave me the washer and dryer stating that his G/F who he was moving in with had just bought a new set 6 months ago and he didn't need them....he knew we didn't have any and said if he tried to sell them he wouldn't get much for them. So when we moved we took them with us​. He is now suing me for stealing his washer and dryer and appliances. He knows we don't have his old appliances as the plan was for us to purchase the home and he allowed us to make any changes we wanted to. Now that he is selling the home to someone else he wants the old appliances back and is suing us for them for over $2800. ​He is also suing us for the the kitchen knobs we took that I bought and installed...he never had any and when we took them we filled up the little holes. He is also suing me for having to hire a painter. I have 13 days to respond to the court. I will do so, but does he really have a case? Any advise would be appreciated!


Asked on 12/04/15, 10:05 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

You need to produce proof that you purchased the items you removed. Also you have a counter claim for the items you installed and did not remove. Again you will need to produce receipts or copies. However, if you did not pay rent while you lived there, he may have a valid claim against you.

Read more
Answered on 12/05/15, 6:53 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Texas