VIDEO – Texas Supreme Court Tolls Evictions Until April 19

Texas Supreme Court‘s Emergency Order No. 4 can be viewed HERE.  

Texas Supreme Courts Halts Evictions Due to COVID-19

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS ════════════════════ Misc. Docket No. 20-9045 ════════════════════ FOURTH EMERGENCY ORDER REGARDING THE COVID-19 STATE OF DISASTER ════════════════════════════════════════════════ ORDERED that: 1. Governor Abbott has declared a state of disaster in all 254 counties in the State of Texas in response to the imminent threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. This order is […]

Eviction Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

I have given this presentation to groups of property managers during 2019 and 2020. The presentation is intended as an entertaining  primer for Landlords handling evictions in Texas Justice Courts.  I hope you enjoy it.

RECOVERING ATTORNEYS’ FEES IN AN EVICTION SUIT

Like  all legal proceedings, eviction suits can be expensive undertakings. Attorneys’ fees are a large component of legal expense. For this reason, landlords and tenants frequently seek to recover fees from the opposing party to an eviction action. Recovery of fees by the prevailing party is not automatic. Instead, such awards are governed by Section […]

From TAA: Reminders re: delivery of Notice to Vacate

The Texas Apartment Association has published an excellent reminder of the permissible ways to deliver notice to vacate to tenants prior to filing an eviction suit.  I wanted to share this fabulous resource. Reminders regarding delivery of Notice to Vacate forms

Landlords: Please STOP Posting Notice to Vacate to the OUTSIDE of the Door

Landlords, property managers, attorneys and even judges are CONFUSED. Lately, this confusion has resulted in an epidemic of botched evictions. Observing these losses stings because they regularly occur in cases where tenants have failed to pay rent.  Bad tenants are getting away with non-payment and being allowed to remain in the rental premises every day. This is […]

Time for Issuing and Executing Writ Of Possession After Eviction Judgment

I frequently field questions from landlords and property managers about the shelf life of writs of possession. Most inquiries relate to how early a writ can issue following an eviction judgment.* A surprising number of people ask how long after judgment the writ process may be utilized.  This post focuses on the second inquiry. WHY […]

Check Out my Video – Eviction Lawyer for Landlords

A CURIOUS CASE: ARE THESE SQUATTERS PREDATORS OR PREY?

A STARTLING DISCOVERY Today I appeared in court on behalf of a property manager who filed an eviction suit after finding their listed (and recently vacant) property occupied. The discovery was made when the manager took a prospect to the property for a showing. Boy, were they were shocked to find the locks changed, and […]

Landlord May Not Interrupt Tenant Utilities

NON-PAYING TENANTS AND THE STRESS THEY CREATE Few things cause landlords as much stress and turmoil as  do non-paying tenants.  Indeed, the whirlwind of expense and emotion caused. by a tenant who expects a “free ride” can lead landlords to extreme measures. When they cannot collect rent, some landlords seek to exert pressure on tenants […]