Concerns

[Girl S]

Jurisdiction

Texas

Well the apartment complex where I live have locked me out of my apartment for nonpayment of rent. They have delivered one 3 day notice to vacate or pay. No eviction has been filed. It is well past the 3 days and I am not planning on leaving until I am summoned to court. They have sent a police officer to harass me and to make me leave for not paying and this is the same officer who works on the property as a security officer. They entered illegally and locked all my windows to make sure I didn't gain access to the apartment since they put on the lock. I have someone who babysits my children at my home from morning to night and they told my guest that they had to leave the property because I haven't paid rent. What can I do?

 

[Girl S]

Well the apartment complex where I live have locked me out of my apartment for nonpayment of rent. They have delivered one 3 day notice to vacate or pay. No eviction has been filed. It is well past the 3 days and I am not planning on leaving until I am summoned to court. They have sent a police officer to harass me and to make me leave for not paying and this is the same officer who works on the property as a security officer. They entered illegally and locked all my windows to make sure I didn't gain access to the apartment since they put on the lock. I have someone who babysits my children at my home from morning to night and they told my guest that they had to leave the property because I haven't paid rent. What can I do?

 

[army judge]

Not much YOU can do, but a lawyer you hire can probably get this sorted. What you describe is illegal.

 

[Girl S]

Thank you. I am looking into it.

 

[army judge]

Thank you. I am looking into it.

Do you have a lease, properly executed, signed by both parties, and in your name?

Are you a month to month tenant, without a lease, occupying the premises legally pursuant to Texas state law as a month to month tenant?

 

[adjusterjack]

Wait, GirlS, they locked you out of your apartment but you aren't planning to leave until you are summoned to court?

How is that possible?

Are you sitting outside your front door?

Anyway, read the Texas landlord tenant statute. There are remedies in there for wrongful eviction:

2015 Texas Statutes :: PROPERTY CODE :: TITLE 8 - LANDLORD AND TENANT :: CHAPTER 92 - RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES