Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Texas

Re: unfair damage charges

First, the general rule with regard to the return of security deposits is that the landlord must return the deposit or an accounting within thirty days after the tenant leaves. The thirty days does not start running, however, until the tenant has given the landlord its forwarding address (filling out the forwarding request at the post office does not count). And, if the tenant leaves owing rent, there is no obligation to send an accounting. If all the prerequisites have been met, and the landlord does not return the security deposit or an accounting within thirty days, the landlord is presumed to be acting in bad faith, which would allow tenant to recover $100 plus three times the amount wrongfully withheld. In addition, the landlord has no right to make any deductions. I would probably file suit against landlord, if you have the proper documentation. Don't be surprised if this alleged delinquency, if not already, soon shows up on credit report. If you are in the Dallas area and wish to pursue this, feel free to call me.