CITY OF IRVING, REP. ANCHIA TEAM UP ON BEHALF OF APARTMENT TENANTS

by ratx103 on 05/04/11 at 1:31 pm

House Bill 1862 Protects Rights of Tenants in Troubled Properties

(Austin)–The Business and Industry Committee of the Texas House of Representatives has heard testimony on House Bill 1862, providing protection for tenants living in a property whose certificate of occupancy has been revoked because the landlord has failed to maintain the premises.

Officials from the City of Irving traveled to the Capitol to testify in support of the bill, which affects properties statewide, but which has particular impact on Irving. The city has been engaged in an effort over the last several years to clean up problem apartment complexes.

“Much progress has been made in Irving,” said Irving Mayor, Herbert A. Gears. “House Bill 1862 provides one more weapon in the fight against slumlord apartment owners and their attorneys.”

The bill would hold the landlord liable for, among other things, returning the full amount of the tenant’s security and water deposit and reimbursing tenant’s moving costs, storage fees and lost wages. The landlord would also be responsible for returning the pro-rated portion of any rental payment the tenant has paid in advance.

“For too long, tenants have been left out in the cold when a city is forced to shut down severely neglected apartments,” said Representative Anchia, adding, “This bill helps tenants deal with a difficult situation that was not of their making, and puts the responsibility where it belongs–on the negligent landlord.”

HB 1862 continues a tenants’ rights legislative agenda that Representative Anchia has pursued during his three-term tenure in the Legislature.

Representative Rafael Anchia is a former DISD school board trustee serving his third term in the Texas House and represents District 103 of northwest Dallas County.