LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Residents at the Edgewater Apartments in Lake Jackson were upset after the city issued a notice to all tenants, informing them that some of their utilities may soon be cutoff after the complex failed to pay for water, sewer and trash services for months.
Many of the tenants told KPRC 2 they wanted out of their lease after finding out the complex had a current past due amount of $77,302.02.
KPRC 2 sat down with Lone Star Legal Aid for a Q and A to learn more about their renter rights:
Question: If I disconnect now, is there a penalty?
Answer: Before making any decisions about disconnecting utilities, it’s essential to check your lease terms, as disconnecting could potentially result in penalties or affect your rental agreement. If you have questions about your lease terms, Lone Star Legal Aid can help review them with you.
Question: Have you ever seen a case like this?
Answer: We’ve seen it all. Our cases often involve tenants facing unfair treatment, such as having their utilities disconnected, being locked out of their apartments, and even attempts to evict tenants who are current on rent. We’ve also seen landlords try to evict tenants over unpaid utilities, even when the tenant is responsible for paying utilities directly to the service provider.
Question: Should I stop paying my rent and utilities?
Answer: No. Withholding rent for any reason can jeopardize your legal protections as a tenant. It’s essential to continue paying both rent and utilities to avoid losing your tenant rights.
Question: What are my rights as a tenant?
Answer: As a tenant, you have several rights, including the right to request lease termination in certain situations. For detailed information on your rights, you can refer to our Self-Help Repair Packet, which provides guidance on tenant rights related to repairs: Self-Help Repair Packet - Tenants Rights to Repairs.
Question: How can Lone Star Legal Aid help me? And where do I go for help?
Answer: Lone Star Legal Aid can assist you with reviewing your lease and providing advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Our services include helping with repair and remedy requests, facilitating communication with your landlord, defending against evictions, and more. To apply for free civil legal services, visit www.LoneStarLegal.org or call 713-652-0077.
Question: What kind of services does LSLA provide?
Answer: Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm dedicated to advocating for low-income and underserved populations by offering free legal education, advice, and representation. Serving 72 counties across eastern and Gulf Coast Texas, as well as four counties in southwest Arkansas, LSLA assists those living at 125% of federal poverty guidelines. Our services focus on maintaining income and economic stability, preserving housing, improving outcomes for children, enhancing family safety, and supporting vulnerable populations such as individuals with disabilities, the elderly, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English proficiency, and the LGBTQIA+ community.