Don’t allow Ignorance to allow yourself to fall into disrepair for the lack of knowing your legal rights as a tenant, or to ask for clemency after signing a contractual agreement that crucifies you, and since you are a child of the Lord, Crucifies our Lord Jesus Christ. Please take time to read this page and to open the links and attachments. Encourage yourself to seek legal help.

Proverbs 22:3 “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
Proverbs 19:2 “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.”

We are thankful to add this content to bring you some light into the dark art of dealing with nasty apartment complex managers that might be trying to evict you and exercise the full lenght of the law, rather than working with you. We hope and Pray that by learning your rights, you can use the knowledge to work in your favor and your family.

The following link takes you to Texas Young Lawyers Association, Tenants’ Right Handbook. Link! This comprehensive document can help you find answers to questions and comments made by your Landlord.

One of the most frequent concerns a person phasing eviction can be the fear of landlords locking out tenants. Please go to this link, from the Texas Law Help.Org web site, Link! We have included a PDF regarding Lockouts. Please find it here.

The Texas Housing and Community Affairs can also help you learn all about your rights at the time of negotiating a lease with a Landlord. Please visit their website, link!

If you feel that you need to obtain legal advice, please visit the resources listed below:

- Roger D. Allen -  legal representation for Social Security Claims.

-  TexasLawHelp.org, a website for low-income Texans with free information and family law, protective order, and other self-help legal forms

-  TexasLegalAnswers.org, a free online legal advice website that allows low-income Texans to post questions about their civil legal issues and receive answers from volunteer Texas attorneys. 

- Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans, a new State Bar of Texas project helping low-income military veterans with legal issues.

-  Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, which serves the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area and NorthWest Texas.

-  Lone Star Legal Aid, which serves the Houston area and East Texas.

-  Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which serves the Austin/ San Antonio area, El Paso area, and South Texas.

-  Texas Legal, a statewide, nonprofit legal benefit plan founded by the State Bar of Texas and the Texas State Legislature as an effort to better meet the legal needs of Texans.

-  TexasCourtHelp.org TexasCourtHelp.org, or TexasCourtHelp.gov, is a website that can help Texans find legal information and forms.

Negotiatiang with your future Landlord, key questions you need to ask prior to signing a lease

 Before signing a lease, ask the following questions, and once you have the answers, discern if the property is the right for your family’s future and peace of mind.

When do you start charging late fees? What is the grace period? How much is the initial late fee charge? Do you charge a late fee each additional day? Will you take partial payments? Can you add accepting partial payments into the lease agreement? What is the payment method? Can I pay with a local certified check?  Can you please add accepting certified checks into the lease agreement?
 

What are the additional monthly charges, like trash, or renter’s insurance? Are they added to the monthly total?
 

What is the parking policy? Can I park my car backing into a spot? What are the tow truck charges?

Regarding utility bills, when was the last time insulation was added to the unit? If insulation is needed, can we note that into the lease agreement, and will the complex share in the additional cost of paying the electric bill?
 

What about pets? Do you have to report them?
 

What is the crime rate in the immediate area? Visit https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/arlington/crime to determine if you are moving to danger. Can the rate be negotiated?
 

Does the complex offer any public transportation? What transportation solutions do they have for residents with limited means?
 

After you get answers to these questions, and some others you might have, decide if the complex is the right fit for your family.