Quiz Answers
What's Your Landlord-Tenant IQ?
By Judon Fambrough

1. False. Texas has no law dictating the maximum amount of the security deposit. It is negotiable.
2. False. The Texas Property Code allows the landlord to deduct from the security deposit damages and charges resulting from a breach of the lease. While damages and charges, such as reletting fees and lost rent, may exceed the security deposit, there is no automatic forfeiture.
3. False. The maximum is the greater of $500 or one month's rent.
4. True. The Texas Property Code permits landlord's liens and grants tenants limited liens against the landlord's property.
5. True. After giving a written three- or seven-day notice to the landlord to comply, tenants may unilaterally terminate a lease for lack of required security devices.
6. False. Rent payments may be made in cash unless prohibited by the lease.
7. False. A tenant is personally liable for all damages exceeding the amount of the security deposit.
8. False. Tenants must obtain their own insurance policy to cover personal property.
9. True. Since 1997, landlords have been required to mitigate rent in both commercial and residential leases by diligently trying to relet the vacated premises.
10. False. Residential landlords may change locks, but they cannot withhold a new key payment of the delinquent rent.