Full question:
I live in a rented house in Texas. I pay the electricity and water bills as agreed between me and the landlord when we signed the lease. Recently I had an argument with my landlord over something and the very next day he broke the water pipe that connects to my kitchen and now I am not getting water supply in the kitchen. Although my landlord apologized and agreed to get the pipe repaired he has not done anything about it thus far. I want to leave this house and go somewhere else. Can I terminate the lease in this scenario?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Repairs
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
Under Texas law, specifically Tex. Prop. Code § 92.008, a landlord cannot disrupt utility services that the tenant pays directly, unless it's for genuine repairs, construction, or emergencies. If the landlord violates this law, the tenant has the right to either recover possession of the property or terminate the lease.
Since your landlord has caused an interruption in your water supply, which you pay for, you may terminate your lease. Additionally, you may seek compensation for actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs, minus any unpaid rent or other amounts owed to the landlord.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.