Due to COVID-19, the Texas Supreme Court issued several Emergency Orders.
Most recently, the Texas Supreme Court issued it’s 42nd Emergency Order, renewing until December 1st, the Texas Eviction Diversion Program. This program helps tenants avoid being evicted while also compensating landlords for past due and upcoming rent payments.
Also, the Supreme Court of Texas also issued their 43rd emergency order – extending until December 1st the courtroom usage of video and teleconferencing methods in both civil and criminal cases; while also allowing Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts to modify certain deadlines. Lastly the 43rd emergency order also allows courts to continue the use of remote hearings.
If you have any questions on how these or any of the prior emergency orders will impact you, contact David Hsu anytime by phone/text to 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.
Evictions in Texas are first heard at the Justice of the Peace level. In larger counties such as Harris County (covering Houston and the surrounding communities), there are different precincts with each precinct being represented by 1 or 2 “places”. You may hear them referred to as JP 5-2 which is short hand for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 2.
Back to the question at hand, you went to court, you showed up, you sat through docket call and your case was finally heard by the Judge. The landlord or landlord’s representative was present and the Judge had them “prove up” their eviction – they went over the rent amount, the date of the notice, amount past due, etc. The Judge looks at you and the only thing the Judge wants to know is whether you have or have not paid the rent. If the answer is no, the Judge will rule in favor of the landlord and grant possession and past due rent plus attorney fees if requested.
Depending on the court and the Judge, the Judge may or may not tell you the move out date/date to file an appeal. In Texas, if you lose, you have two options and you need to choose an option before the end of 5 days – (1) move out or (2) file an appeal.
(1) Move out
Pretty self-explanatory, move out before the five days.
(2) File an appeal If you wish to appeal the JP court ruling, you must file an appeal at the same court house within 5 days of the date of the Judgment. You need to post a bond or file an affidavit why you cannot post a bond with your appeal. Once you appeal, the case is sent to the County Court level and depending on your location – the hearing may be set for a week or even a month or two later. Please note, that during the time you file an appeal, rent MUST be paid into the court registry. If you do file an appeal, keep an look out in your mailbox for a court date, or call the County Court and ask the clerk of the court date.
What happens when I finally go back to court?
When you appeal, your case is heard over at the County Court level, the hearing will be very similar to what happened at the Justice of the Peace level.
What happens if you lose? Unfortunately, the County Court is the last chance you have to fight the eviction case. If the Judge rules in favor of the landlord you will need to vacate the property.
What if I don’t vacate?
The landlord will file a Writ of Possession and you will be removed from your property by the Sheriff’s office in the county where you live.
I have more questions!
If you are a tenant and/or a landlord and have more questions – contact me anytime by phone or 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.
I previously posted on my blog that the Supreme Court of Texas issued an emergency order stopping all hearings or proceedings for eviction until April 19th. Now that April 19th has gone and past – can my landlord now file for eviction and take me to court?
The answer is no – the Supreme Court of Texas issued another emergency order extending the deadline to April 30, 2020.
If you are a landlord or tenant and have any questions – or if you have anygeneral 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:
This is only specific for Texas eviction laws, each state has their own so please verify with a licensed attorney in your state;
The situation is constantly changing so this information may be out of date;
The Supreme Court of Texas may issue another emergency order at anytime so this information may also be out of date;
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.
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.
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 anygeneral 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:
This is only specific for Texas eviction laws, each state has their own so please verify with a licensed attorney in your state;
The situation is constantly changing so this information may be out of date;
The Supreme Court of Texas may issue another emergency order at anytime so this information may also be out of date;
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.
Law Office of David Hsu (Brogden) and Associates 