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When we were kids in school, we sometimes waited until the last minute to begin working on our book report, just to stay up way too late and turn in something that was "good enough." For a Professional Landlord, that kind of presentation should never be acceptable when it comes to your rental property.
But getting ready for a new Tenant involves more than just getting your house ready. Both you and your Tenant must be ready for the lease, and there may be more involved in that process than maybe you have previously considered.
"Don't just look for better Tenants. Continually look for ways to be a better Landlord, and your business will thrive."
--Ernie Garcia
The Law Office of Ernie Garcia represents Landlords in various trial cases in Texas Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts, and even U.S. Federal District Courts in the Southern District of Texas. While our office is located in Houston, Texas and many of our cases are in Harris County, we have represented clients in Courts all throughout the State of Texas.
Our Landlord clients look to the Law Office of Ernie Garcia to send demand letters to tenants who have breached their residential or commercial leases. We prepare petitions for Eviction and represent Landlords, Investment Companies, and Property Managers involved in Evictions at the Justice Court and in Eviction Appeals.
The goal in every Eviction is full and final resolution, which sometimes includes Judgment, Writ of Possession, Abstract of Judgment, Writ of Execution, and even settlement. We also defend Landlords whose Tenants sue them in these same courts with claims for repairs, security deposits, or a variety of other Lease disputes.
Additionally, Ernie Garcia assists Landlords with drafting Leases that comport with the Texas Property Code and puts the Landlord in a firm position to derive the best benefit from the Landlord/Tenant relationship. He routinely delivers Notice to Vacate, Notice of Lease Termination, or Notice of Non-renewal for Landlords seeking to end a Lease relationship with a bad tenant. Ernie Garcia shows clients how the Eviction process can improve Tenant cooperation and reduces the potentially enormous losses that come from continued instances of partial and late payments.
Ernie Garcia has over 10 years of litigation experience in jury trials and bench trials. He has also represented clients on appeal to the First and Fourteenth Texas Courts of Appeal.
Through the years our philosophy has never changed. We are here for the benefit of our clients, and we seek to improve situations and to create innovative solutions to conflicts that affect the property, accounts, and business assets of the people we represent.
To contact us by Email: [e-mail]
Call or Text: 832-305-7694
Visit us online at: attorneyeg.com...
The information and materials made available on this video are provided by The Law Office of Ernie Garcia, PLLC for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The transmission and receipt of the information in this video does not form or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Individuals receiving said information should not act upon it without seeking professional legal counsel.

[@danielofoegbu5532]

1:00 What is your ideal tenet/ screening tenant. 2:26 Make sure building is in excellent condition. 4:00 Updated lease. 5:35 Expectations 8:24 Must have entire deposit and first month rent.

[@ranyart37]

Thank you for these videos. I recently discovered you after investing and renting units for 20+ years. I've been lucky most of the time, then COVID came and I saw the dark side of three tenants. All three I had to evict! Wish I'd found you sooner!

[@LandlordAttorney]

Well, I hope things are going better for you now. In any case, if you need something, now you've got someone in your corner to help you when things get rough.

[@yvonneoy3124]

"When Covid hit, I acted swiftly. I convinced a tenant to vacate before she had a chance to gather her thoughts. Lol"

[@aaa-pp]

Great video as always. Don't forget the before pictures. 👍

[@LandlordAttorney]

You're welcome.

[@leewestep92]

Love this guy.. Thanks 4 the wisdom

[@LandlordAttorney]

Thanks so much for that. You are very welcome.

[@leewestep92]

Hey mr g. What goes first eviction letter or letter to vacate

[@LandlordAttorney]

@@leewestep92 that depends on where the rental property is located (which state) and what you mean by "eviction letter."

[@leewestep92]

@@LandlordAttorney I'm in El Paso TX, is a eviction notice the same or equal to a notice go vacate

[@LandlordAttorney]

@@leewestep92 Your Notice to Vacate is a demand for Possession based on a breach of the lease by a tenant (usually for nonpayment of rent). The Notice to Vacate is delivered to the Tenant before an Eviction Petition is filed with the Justice of the Peace.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Excellent info!

[@LandlordAttorney]

Thanks a lot.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

@@LandlordAttorney do you have a Florida comrade? I’m just getting into this tenant biz. Taxes Tenants Insurance 😵‍💫

[@LandlordAttorney]

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in Florida whom I can refer you to. You may want to reach out to a Florida state bar for a referral.

[@capoBon]

Thanks for that information. 👍

[@LandlordAttorney]

You're welcome

[@victoriaz9156]

Moved into a rental home that was far from tenant ready. Stove, dryer, microwave need to be replaced. Many trash items (approx 50 items) left behind from previous tenants. Most of the windows do not stay open and are missing screens. Feel duped since the home itself is actually very nice and wouldn't expect to have this many issues upon move in. Hoping to get out asap.

[@LandlordAttorney]

Is this a month-to-month lease? If not, it may not be so easy to simply get out, especially if the lease had an as-is provision. Is this a lease for a home in Texas?

[@victoriaz9156]

​@@LandlordAttorney Hi sorry just seeing this now. Yes, its for a home in Texas - 12 month lease. When we toured it, there was some trash and we asked for a cleaning prior to move in. Once we moved in, not only were the trash items there but a number of issues one after another. The rental listing described this home as move in ready and used words like stunning, perfect, a retreat and the complete opposite is true. Based on what we moved into, they claim an inspection was completed but I highly doubt it. Appliances were not working, light bulbs were blown out, windows unable to remain open, smoke alarms not inspected, roaches living in appliances and crawling on the kitchen counter, and some other issues as well. Some of the maintenance issues have been addressed but they took some time (some took more than a month). Also, they are kind of selective when it comes to abiding by the lease. Majority of these issues, we would not have noticed during our initial tour. Now we are here and feel completely duped.

[@victoriaz9156]

@@LandlordAttorney Another thing that may be an issue is that the landlord provided the incorrect address to the property management company. So at this time, I do not know how to directly get in contact with the landlord.

[@LandlordAttorney]

@Victoria Z You may want to have your lease reviewed by a landlord/tenant attorney. I suggest that you submit a written request for all repairs ASAP. If your lease features a bad address, send your Notice there by mail anyway. Do you have Email or text access for communication? Send your Notice that way too. The county property records should be able to identify the owner. If you have a bad address, search public records and even Google for the property management company. Good luck.

[@KevinP32270]

thanks!

[@LandlordAttorney]

You're very welcome

[@janjoy9759]

Is it legal for a landlord to charge "security fee of 225" every time the rent lease is renewed with the tenant? A security deposit was initally provided when first signing and moving into the unit. Why would "additonal security deposit" of 225$ be required evry year?

[@LandlordAttorney]

Generally speaking, at a renewal, the parties can alter the terms of the original lease in all kinds of ways, but they can also end the lease if they are unable to agree on those terms.

[@juanlumbreras7586]

Hi Ernie, thank you so much for these educational videos, they are very helpful. You said in this video you that you talked in the past about a score card for the ideal tenant. How can I watch that video? Thank you

[@LandlordAttorney]

I did say that. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnaXlHqmjqmmgZY

[@goatgoat7042]

Can the tenant cut off the light before the way-through

[@LandlordAttorney]

What does the lease say about cutting the electricity off early?

[@rafaelruesga7513]

Hi I know this video is 5 month older but I hope you can help me answer this question. So this is a month to month lease in CA. I had recently (a week ago) signed the lease papers and I gave my first, security deposit, and couple more to move in early. But what I noticed is the property manger never wrote down the move in date, i didn’t get my copy of the lease agreement form, I never got to see the actual apartment because due to renovation, we had a verbal agreement that he should have got me in on the 20 of June which is today but now is pushing it back couple more days and stated that this was now the move in date. But the apt once I move in I have to set a date and time to have the floor renovated. I do have a photo that shows that the move in date was never written down. But what should I do? Because I am currently staying in a hotel until this finish and I am not getting reimbursed for this.

[@LandlordAttorney]

If this is based on CA law, I will be unable to assist you.

[@atfuni27]

Great video. Question - I would like to have first months rent, a security deposit, and last months rent. Is this an acceptable thing to do. It’s a lot of money for people to come up with.

[@LandlordAttorney]

Your lease needs to specify your terms. It appears as though you're taking first month's rent and a double deposit, which is a good structure. By taking a double deposit you will be protected from potential defaults. You also don't want to give you tenant the option to claim that "next month is the last month," so no rent is collected but they holdover, causing the full deposit to be taken up by the deposit before you ever sue for Eviction.

[@sondrac8809]

How can a landlord request a paid security bond instead of a cash deposit for new tenant? Are bonds better than cash deposits?

[@LandlordAttorney]

In Texas, a cash deposit would be best. This puts more control in the hands of a landlord. With a bond, a Landlord would have to make a claim against the bond after the tenant has left damage behind, but with a cash security deposit, so long as the landlord follows their lease and state law, they can make all valid deductions from the deposit and refund the balance in far less time with far less hassle.

[@amandaelliott3276]

Is landlord obligated to interact with a person that the tenant says they have "designated as their representative" (not an attorney) during the eviction process? This person is out of the area and sends landlord threats.

[@LandlordAttorney]

No. Any notices should go directly to the tenant as required under the lease and under state law. An attorney can be cc'd, but, unless the tenant is a company, I don't see how this makes sense. The tenant can share their notices with whomever they like, but you should comply with the lease and state law.

[@zoraya0779]

Thank you

[@LandlordAttorney]

You're welcome.