Q: Where can I find attorneys that will help me collect 3 times security deposit from crooked landlord in Texas?
Aug 2020: gave security deposit to landlord of $875
July 2023: moved out but the lease didn’t expire until Sept. Notified landlord 60+ days before lease expiration as required in lease.
Aug 2023: paid last month’s rent + utilities
Sept 2023: lease ends on 1st
Oct 2023: sent me last utility bill to new address. Figured deposit could pay this so didn’t submit payment. It was only $100 or so.
Late Oct 2023: inquired on status of deposit. Was sent itemization of charges claiming my deposit was $250 and w/deductions, I owed them $27.
I then disputed it and the leasing office confirmed it was $875 and sent it to be corrected to accounting dept.
Today: 70+ days no security deposit returned
Texas code says I can sue for 3 times the deposit + $100 + attorney fees. Is this an open/shut case that I could represent self in small claims court? I have documentation and did everything by the book.
Hard to find attorney for such low amounts. But this crooked landlord must be stopped!
A: Your instinct is correct. It does not make sense from a lawyer's business perspective to accept such a small case. The jurisdiction of our JP courts is $20,000 or less. This is a perfect type of case for such a court. If you have all the documentation you say you have, you should be able to file a small claims case yourself without a lawyer.
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