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Austin rents are rising. With the increase in the demand for rental units and apartments, landlords are becoming increasingly emboldened to abuse tenants. Rising costs of labor and materials are causing landlords to skip out on important repairs and maintenance. As a result, tenants in Austin are often in difficult situations. It is important for any tenant who is confronted with an abusive landlord to seek representation by a qualified Austin tenant lawyer.
The most common situation we deal with is when a tenant is dissatisfied with their living conditions and wants to move out before the lease term ends. In these cases, we rarely are forced to go to court. Instead, we help the tenant navigate the process of ending a lease early. We offer this service at an affordable cost, usually only a flat fee.
The truth is: tenants have rights. Despite this reality, landlords still continuously choose to abuse their power against their tenants. This is why it is important to know when and how to exercise tenant's rights.
Make an appointment and we will contact you for payment prior to the appointment.
For hourly cases, our rates vary based on the billing employee and your location. Generally, you can expect to pay a retainer that is commensurate with the expected amount of work needed. The more complex the case, the more you can expect to pay.
No we do not. All payments must be made in advance of any work performed.
No. For landlord-tenant cases, we offer options for limited paid 30-minute consultations. If the consultation involves document review or preparation, there is a different fee. Note that these consultations are not meant to address all of your legal problems, only to determine next steps and whether you may need legal services. You must have an appointment with one of the Firm's Austin tenant lawyers for a consultation.
Generally no. For certain cases and established Firm clients, the Firm may accept partial payment through a contingency arrangement.
Fill out this form only if you have a consultation appointment set up. Filling out this form by itself does not guarantee that we will call you.
Please note that filling out this form or contacting us does not, by itself make you a client of the Ardalan Law Firm.
If you are trying to get out of a bad living situation, do not attempt to do this on your own. Hiring an Austin tenant lawyer can help you navigate the tricky relationship between landlord and tenant. We offer services aimed at helping you get out of your residential lease at an affordable price.
Landlords sometimes take advantage of tenants and abuse tenants' rights. In Austin, a large portion of the population lives in rented apartments. Most commonly, landlords fail to make reasonable repairs or remedy dangerous conditions. Sometimes, landlords don't reimburse tenants with the security deposit. If you believe your landlord is abusing your rights, you should contact an Austin Tenant Lawyer as soon as possible. At Ardalan Law Firm PLLC, we handle a variety of landlord/tenant issues. If you are looking for an Austin Tenant Lawyer, we can help with the following services:
Note that these services are not provided on a contingency fee basis. Ardalan Law Firm PLLC charges clients an hourly fee for most tenant matters. Please contact the firm for more information. Generally, the firm only accepts cases located in Travis County.
Your case is important to us. We work with every client to meet their needs while also remaining conscious of their costs. We offer relatively affordable representation for your landlord-tenant case.
An Austin tenant lawyer can help you evaluate what options you have when the landlord unlawfully withholds a security deposit. Typically, a landlord has to return the full amount of a security deposit minus reasonable expenses for repairs, within thirty (30) days of the tenant's last day. Whether in a house or in an apartment, the rules about withholding security deposits are the same for all residential units. A landlord who unlawfully withholds a security deposit can be held liable for up to three times the amount of the deposit. Additionally, the tenant can ask for the attorney's fees and costs incurred in attempting to recover the illegally withheld security deposit.
It is important to consult with a qualified Austin tenant lawyer to evaluate your case. Every case is different and an Austin tenant lawyer can discuss your options. Ardalan Law Firm has experience pursuing landlords for unlawfully withheld security deposits.
Call us for a paid consultation - (512) 387-5062.
Texas law protects tenants who are being wrongfully evicted because they made a complaint or otherwise exercised their rights. If you were retaliated against as a result of making a complaint, be sure to contact an Austin tenant lawyer to review if you have a case.
In part, Texas Property Code Sec. 92.331 states that a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant because they attempted to exercise their rights in good faith. For example, a landlord can't retaliate if the tenant is asking for repairs or maintenance to be performed. A tenant also is protected in reporting the landlord to a government agency for code violations.
Some of the conduct that could constitute illegal retaliation:
(1) filing an eviction proceeding;
(2) depriving the tenant of the use of the premises, except for reasons authorized by law;
(3) decreasing services to the tenant;
(4) increasing the tenant's rent or terminating the tenant's lease; or
(5) engaging, in bad faith, in a course of conduct that materially interferes with the tenant's rights under the tenant's lease.
It's important to note that the Texas Property Code also establishes what cannot be retaliation. The most common example of non-retaliation is the landlord refusing to renew a lease contract. In an example where tenant made complaints about repairs that needed to be done and landlord complied, but afterwards refused to renew tenant's lease, tenant might not have a retaliation claim. Just because the landlord is not renewing a lease agreement is not sufficient to maintain a retaliation claim.
What damages are available to victims of landlord retaliation?
Tenants may be entitled to one month's rent for each instance of landlord retaliation plus an award of actual damages. If the tenant had to relocate, the retaliating landlord may be obligated to pay for moving expenses and for any other incidental damages.
By far the most efficient way to terminate a lease is with the consent and agreement of the landlord or property manager. The first goal for any tenant lawyer is to reach an amicable settlement that includes early termination of the lease in a way that benefits both parties. Short of an agreement, there are many legal reasons to invalidate a lease. The following is a list of some of the protected reasons to end a lease early:
Most people terminating their leases do not fit under any of the above categories. The most common reason to end a lease are actually just needing more space for a growing family, moving for a job, or just dissatisfaction with the living situation. It is important to review your lease and consult with an Austin tenant lawyer to determine the best strategy to terminate a lease.
Copyright © 2021 Ardalan Law Firm PLLC - All Rights Reserved.
Principal office: Austin, Texas
Mail: 1211 W. 6th Street, Suite 600-122
Austin, Texas 78703
PHONE: (512) 931-4911
FAX: (737) 402-7075
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