Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -
Introduction -

Chapter 1: Laws that Apply to All Landlords -
Discrimination
Local Law
Taxes
Assumed Name

Chapter 2: Legal Research -
Statutes
Court Cases
Case Citation Examples

Chapter 3: Selecting a Tenant -
Screening Prospective Tenants
Application Deposits
Choosing a Tenant Checklist

Chapter 4: Types of Tenancies -
Fixed-Term Tenancies
Periodic Tenancies
Tenancies at Will
Tenancies at Sufferance

Chapter 5: The Lease -
Lease Requirements
Statutory Obligations
Optional Provisions
Problem Clauses
Signing the Lease
Commercial vs. Residential Leases
From Applicant to Occupant Checklist

Chapter 6: Security Deposits -
Return of Security Deposits
Lease Provisions and Security Deposit Deductions
Last Month's Rent

Chapter 7: Repairs -
Duty to Repair
Property Sold before Repairs are Made
Court Proceedings
Insured Losses
Code Violations

Chapter 8: Security Devices -
Required Equipment
Remedies
Management Companies

Chapter 9: Smoke Detectors -
General Requirements
Tenant's Guest

Chapter 10: Utility Cutoffs -
Tenant's Remedies

Chapter 11: Retaliation -
Against Tenant
Against Landlord

Chapter 12: Collecting Unpaid Rent -
Statutory Lien
Contractual Lien
Seizing Property
Sale of Seized Property
Tenant's Right to Redeem
Replevy
Additional Tenant Remedies
Suing for Unpaid Rent

Chapter 13: Manufactured Housing -
Landlord's Entry
Common Areas
Lease Term
Lease Requirements
Security Deposits
Maintenance Requirements

Chapter 14: Commercial Leases -
Commercial Property
Utility Cutoffs
Removal of Tenant's Property
Banning Tenant's Entry
Tenant Remedies
Writ of Reentry
Security Deposits

Chapter 15: Commercial Landlord's Liens -
Lien Statement
Distress Warrants
Landlord's Other Remedies

Chapter 16: Terminating Leases -
Month-to-Month Tenancies
Tenant Convicted of a Crime
Other Terminating Issues

Chapter 17: Evictions -
Procedure
Writ of Possession
Release of Judgment
Public Hearing
Possible Tenant Defenses
Eviction Process Checklist

Chapter 18: Recovering Possession -
Abandonment
Agreeing to End the Tenancy
Acceptance of Past-Due Rent
Tenant's Bankruptcy

Chapter 19: Other Liabilities -
Personal Injuries
Criminal Acts of Third Parties
Tenant's Criminal Activity

Chapter 20: Hiring an Attorney -

Conclusion -
Top Ten Mistakes Landlords Make

Glossary -
Appendix A: Texas Landlord and Tenant Statutes -
Appendix B: Texas Forcible Entry and Detainer Statutes -
Appendix C: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure for Forcible Entry and Detainer -
Appendix D: Blank Forms -
Index