A lease gives a tenant the right to occupy a residential unit. They have the right to use the space so long as they pay rent as agreed in their lease.
Sometimes, landlords decide to remove tenants from a property before the lease actually ends. To do so, they must prove in civil court that the circumstances meet specific standards. What are the scenarios in which landlords can evict tenants from residential properties in Texas?
1. A failure to pay rent
The key requirement imposed on a residential tenant is timely rent payments. Once they fall behind on their financial responsibilities, their landlord can seek to remove them from the property and replace them with a paying tenant.
2. Major lease violations
Perhaps a landlord discovered that a tenant has pets that violate lease terms. Maybe they discovered that the tenant has smoked inside the unit or had too many long-term overnight guests. In scenarios involving documented lease violations, landlords may have the legal grounds necessary to evict a residential tenant.
3. Damage to the unit
Tenants can sometimes cause significant damage to the properties where they live. Smoking, pet ownership and inappropriate conduct could all cause substantial property damage. Landlords who need to protect their property and repair the damage already caused may initiate evictions to remove problem tenants.
Learning more about the rules that govern residential leases and evictions can benefit both landlords and tenants. Evictions are usually only possible in a limited number of specific circumstances. Those embroiled in a dispute related to a rental property may need help pursuing or responding to an eviction.