Help, the landlord locked me out, what can I do? Am I evicted?

On By Your Attorney and Counselor at LawIn evictions, Justice of the Peace, landlord tenant law, real estate, UncategorizedLeave a comment
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Unfortunately, there are many scrupulous landlords out there who take non-payment of rent matters into their own hands instead of going through the legal process. This results in me receiving calls from tenants who come back from work only to find the locks changed or another lock on the door preventing them from getting in.

Can a landlord lock you out?
Yes a landlord can lock out a tenant, but the landlord provide conntact information where the tenant can call at anytime to get access into the apartment.

What does the law say about locking out a tenant?
The law controlling landlord/tenant rights in Texas is found in the Property Code. Specifically, the law about lockouts is found here:

Section 92.0081:

(c) If a landlord or a landlord’s agent changes the door lock of a tenant who is delinquent in paying rent, the landlord or the landlord’s agent must place a written notice on the tenant’s front door stating:

(1) an on-site location where the tenant may go 24 hours a day to obtain the new key or a telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day that the tenant may call to have a key delivered within two hours after calling the number;

What if the landlord refuses to let me back in?
If a landlord refuses to let you into your apartment/house, then you have been wrongfully evicted and the landlord is subject to damages. Contact David Hsu now by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Disclaimer:  this website and blog posts are for general information and educational purposes only. This blog post and website provides basic information and does not provide specific legal advice to your situation. By using our website, or by communicating with our office by comment, phone, text, or e-mail, you confirm that there exists no attorney-client relationship between you and David Hsu Brogden and Associates. Each legal issue is complex and you must seek a licensed attorney in your specific jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation.

Can I evict my tenant during the coronavirus crisis? (Texas specific).

On By Your Attorney and Counselor at LawIn evictions, Justice of the Peace, landlord tenant law, real estate, UncategorizedLeave a comment
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The corona virus crisis impacting all of us has led to an increased number of calls from landlords and tenants and the main reason for the increase in phone calls is the mandated shelter in place policies and its economic impact – whether through reduced hours or temporary closing of their place of employment. As rent is the largest monthly expense for most people, I’ve been experiencing a large number of calls from my landlord/clients who ask me if eviction is even possible during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The short answer is the landlord can file an eviction to evict a tenant, but the courts won’t hear the case until or after April 19th. The Supreme Court of Texas issued an emergency order stopping all hearings or proceedings until after April 19. What does this mean? It means the landlords still need to send the 3-day notice to vacate. On the 4th day the landlord can then file the eviction case at the local Justice of the Peace. However, instead of the clerk handing you a piece of paper with the court date in two weeks, the court clerk will instead hand you just a receipt confirming the service and filing fees have been paid. After April 19th, the Court clerks will set the cases for hearings.

If you are a landlord or tenant and have any questions – or if you have any general legal questions, please feel free to reach out to me by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Please note:

  1. This is only specific for Texas eviction laws, each state has their own so please verify with a licensed attorney in your state;
  2. The situation is constantly changing so this information may be out of date;
  3. The Supreme Court of Texas may issue another emergency order at anytime so this information may also be out of date;
  4. This post is for general information purposes only, as each legal issue is unique and eviction laws are state specific, you must consult with an attorney licensed in your state for the most accurate legal advice.

Disclaimer:  this website and blog posts are for general information and educational purposes only. This blog post and website provides basic information and does not provide specific legal advice to your situation. By using our website, or by communicating with our office by comment, phone, text, or e-mail, you confirm that there exists no attorney-client relationship between you and David Hsu Brogden and Associates. Each legal issue is complex and you must seek a licensed attorney in your specific jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation.

What requirements do I need to meet in order to file divorce in Texas?

On By Your Attorney and Counselor at LawIn divorce, family law, UncategorizedLeave a comment
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I frequently get asked this question – Am I able to get a divorce in Texas? The answer is yes, if you meet two requirements:

  1. Have you lived in Texas for the past 6 months?
  2. Have you lived in this county (or the county where you will file) for the past 90 days?

If you answered “Yes” to both questions, then yes, you can file a divorce in Texas.

Hopefully you don’t need to file a divorce, but if you have any questions, feel free to text or give me a call: 832.896.6288.

Disclaimer:  this website and blog posts are for general information and educational purposes only. This blog post and website provides basic information and does not provide specific legal advice to your situation. By using our website, or by communicating with our office by comment, phone, text, or e-mail, you confirm that there exists no attorney-client relationship between you and David Hsu Brogden and Associates. Each legal issue is complex and you must seek a licensed attorney in your specific jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation.