Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas

I am currently moving out of a property I am renting. When I moved in I paid a security deposit and a pet deposit. Now that I am moving out my landlord has informed me that I will need to pay for carpet. I figured she could use my deposit to pay for carpet. but she has informed me that she will be keeping the deposit, "$250 for each pet" and that I will need to pay for new carpet out of pocket. She says if I do not purchase new carpet (that she has approved and choosen), she will take me to court and "win".

This is the first time I'm hearing of this new keep my deposit for pet policy. Not only did they never mention it until now that I am moving out but it does not state in my contract that I will forfeit my deposit for pets.

I do not have the money to pay for new carpet but this woman is the kind who will harass me, come down to my job and take me to court. I don't know what to do.


Asked on 7/31/11, 9:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Dunn Mark D. Dunn

Just say "no."

When you move out, do what the lease tells you to do - it (probably) requires you to give the landlord a forwarding address where she can send your deposit refund.

Ignore her threats. She's bluffing.

Wait a month (after your move-out date) and then sue her for your deposit (that she didn't refund).

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Answered on 8/01/11, 3:59 pm


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