Category: Landlord/Tenant

Tips to Avoid Fair Housing Act Violations

This April marks the 50th anniversary since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. The Fair Housing Act was historic legislation that expanded on previous laws by prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and (as amended) disability and family status. The goal of [..]

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Defending the Castle: How to Implement Tailored Parking Policies and Vet Vendors

Intruders and unauthorized “guests” constitute perhaps the most significant threat to apartment community safety and security, because they arrive without a landlord’s knowledge and screening.[1]  Fortunately, ensuring that only authorized people visit your apartment community is not out of your control. Landlords can control who visits their property by implementing a tailored parking policy and [..]

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Abandonment: Throw Away Trash, Not Your Rights

The abandonment process can be a quick and inexpensive way for a landlord to regain legal possession of leased property after a tenant vacates without formally surrendering the unit. However, it can also become a lengthy and expensive nightmare when done incorrectly. Too often we see landlords sued by tenants, because the landlord failed to [..]

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My Tenant Skipped! What Do I Do Next?

When a tenant vacates the leased premises prior to the end of their lease, the landlord is often left with two key questions: 1) what am I required to do next, and 2) how can I collect? Even when your tenant skips, you still need to prepare a security deposit accounting. The Texas Property Code [..]

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Don’t Shoot: The Authority of Landlords to Ban Handguns

On June 13, 2015 Governor Gregg Abbot signed House Bill 910, better known as the “open carry” law, which became effective on January 1, 2016.  The law authorizes individuals with a concealed hand gun license to openly carry their handguns.  Many landlords have asked if and how they can prohibit handguns from being carried on [..]

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