Landlord Has Asked Us to Vacate in Texas

[ljo67]

We have a lease through Sept 2001. A few months ago, the property was sold and we were informed our lease agreement would remain the same. We have always paid our rent on time and have had no problems with any of the other tenants or either of the landlords until now. The issue is with our dog. He is a non-violent large breed (Australian Shepherd) with no bite history, always leashed outside and current on vaccinations. We take him a block away to the park when he has to "go outside" and if, by chance, he goes in the yard, we clean it up and throw it away in the dumpter. He has not destroyed any property and only barks when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. When we request repairs, we always agree on a time when either one of us is home with the dog and repair person or we kennel the dog. The landlord has orally informed us that we do not have a pet agreement with them (the new landlord) and that the dog is a threat to repair persons. We have provided the landlord with work numbers so that in case they need to enter quickly, we can be contacted. One of us works less than five minutes away and the other, about ten minutes away. The example the landlord's rep used was what if the a/c was leaking into another apartment, she couldn't enter to make repairs. She has asked us to leave by the 25th of next month and will refund July's rent to us if we do, or, we can get rid of the dog, but at any rate, the rent will increase $75 upon renewal. Last month, one of the tenants asked us when we were leaving, well before we had heard of this. We have also requested two repairs in the past couple months, a working oven and to have our a/c repaired as it was only blowing hot air. The a/c was fixed in about a week and the oven took about a month and repeated phone calls to the landlord. There are other tenants in the complex with dogs and with cats that run free so we're suspicious of the actual motives behind her request.

What, if any, are our options?

Thanks,
Lisa

[Edited by ljo67 on 06-19-2001 at 12:47 AM]

 

[dj1]

It doesnt matter what the NEW landlord says YOU have a lease until Sept 2001, and you have a legal right to stay...PERIOD!

The lease and all its terms comes with the sale...even your dog!

If she wants you out before the lease is up, she has to pay you to move...which is what she is trying to do here ....

So you options are to stay put..... she cant do anything.

or take her offer, BUT get it in writing ..why should you even have to pay for July's rent anyway? send a letter registered mail and say that the landlord wishes to terminate the lease early and the terms are you are not paying for Julys rent and ALL of your security ($xxx) will be refunded to you...THEN after she signs it, you can look for a new place to live.

If you really dont want to leave.....then ADD that the landlord will pay all your moving expenses,(GET ESTIMATES as to what moving would cost you) Refund ALL your security AND you will not pay July's rent, AND when the landlord pays you 2/3 of that amount up front (or agrees to pay a mover) then you will start looking for a new place.

If the landlord wants you to move for her convienence WHY should it cost you a dime?

Also DO NOT accept ANY verbal agreements....she is trying to screw you.

[Edited by dj1 on 06-19-2001 at 08:19 AM]