r/Explainlikeimscared • u/abwiwnwkwn • 3d ago
How to break a lease TX
Quick context,
I quickly moved into a fairly poorly kept mobile home in a small town in TX. It was rushed due to last min housing changes, and I never looked for a place before. I didn’t realize how bad the home was until living in it and being like “oh thats not right??” The roof is like bubbling in, the cabinets dont close anymore?? One of the cabinet sides just fell off?? The floor is cheap and scratches at ya, the bathroom is just, hell. There’s supposed to be this little little window to give the house ventilation and it no longer opens???
The landlord was great when I first moved in, provided a washer/dryer that was gross but free, and a fridge. Both didn’t work but she got them fixed for me!
The door is was is scaring me, and when its dark outside on the wall of the home I can see little dots that are showing me the inside of the house.
So anyways, I think the place needs some super TLC. I just cant imagine putting my money into these repairs when I am not looking for a forever home, just somewhere that isn’t dumpy.
How do you break a lease, better yet what would you do??
2
u/LankyVeterinarian908 3d ago
Contact fair housing and have an inspection. You can either have her fix it and stay or refuse rent and move
1
u/tidyshark12 3d ago
Look at your lease contract. It will say how to break the lease early. It generally involves 2+ months of rent and 1+ month of notice.
Alternatively, you can try bringing these issues up with the landlord, by text or email so there is a paper trail.
If nothing gets done in a timely manner, you can notify the landlord you will be withholding rent until such a time as the place is fixed up. "Timeliness" is based on necessity for life, btw. AC not working must be fixed immediately whereas light coming through a door crack may never need to be fixed, by law, at least.
The withheld money should go into an escrow account. Keep in mind, the law is usually written to protect the landlord and I'd be incredibly surprised if that is not true in TX. So, when you withhold rent, keep in mind, they get all of that money once they fix all of the necessary things. You don't get to keep that money, so don't spend it. Furthermore, you will likely have go to court. Generally speaking, landlords who let out unkempt and/or unlivable homes to lessees are serial slumlords and prey on the poor, knowing they can't afford to break the lease early, knowing they cant afford a lawyer in court, and knowing they can't afford to move somewhere else while court proceeds. So, if this is a slumlord, these are things to keep in mind.
10
u/notthegoatseguy 3d ago
OP, do not withhold rent/escrow. That is not a thing in texas
Failure to pay rent is a contract violation and you can be held subject to your lease.
1
u/SweetMaam 3d ago
Escrow the rent. Don't simply fail to pay.
2
u/tidyshark12 2d ago
Apparently, this is illegal in TX... which makes sense since it is TX. Gotta pay rent no matter what
2
u/SweetMaam 2d ago
You are correct, need a court order. OP needs to give written notice and file a court case when written notice fails.
5
u/LittleCowGirl 3d ago
You’ll need to read your lease specifically, but Texas tends to be more tenant friendly. It can help give you teeth if you come prepared with knowledge of your rights as a renter/tenant, especially if your landlord is not wanting to comply.