Q: How to claim for remaining months rent from tenant who has done early lease termination?
I am a landlord in Dallas, Texas. I had a tenant under 18 months lease agreement starting November 1st 2023 to May 1st 2024. The tenant paid $7500 cash before moving in. $7500 included first and last month rent (rent was $3500 per month) and $500 security deposit. He did an early termination from December 1st 2023 due to job relocation without official notice and since then stopped paying rent. Even though the lease does not have any early termination penalties stated, i had informed him before that if early termination then by law in Texas he would be responsible for the remaining month payment until i find a new tenant. Now that i found a tenant moving in March 1st 2024, i have requested the old tenant to pay me Dec-Feb months rent excluding his last month rent and deposit. He refuses to do so and wants to go to court and believes he should not be held liable to pay Dec-Feb month rent since he moved out in November 2023. How can i get him be responsible for the remaining balance.
A: Since the amount involved is under $20,000, you should file a small claims case against him in the JP court for the precinct where the property is located.
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