RECenter Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Texas Statutory Laws

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Quiz
Test Your Knowledge of Texas Statutory Laws
By Judon Fambrough
October 1997

It is not necessary to own rental property or even be a renter to confront landlord-tenant issues. Eventually, every real estate practitioner gets them.

Most questions are answered by the Texas statutes. If so, the Real Estate Center report, Landlords' and Tenants' Guide (publication 866) has the statute paraphrased in everyday terms in a question-answer format. Take this quiz. See how up-to-date you are on landlord-tenant relations.

The maximum amount that a landlord may demand as a security deposit is regulated by statute.
T F
If a tenant breaches the lease by moving out early, the tenant automatically forfeits the security deposit.
T F
Under the deduct-and-repair statute, the tenant may deduct a maximum of $500 a month for repairs.
T F
Under certain circumstances, a landlord can have a lien on the tenant's property. By the same token, the opposite is true.
T F
A tenant may unilaterally, without penalty, terminate a residential lease if the required security devices are not installed.
T F
Late payments contained in a lease agreement constitute interest. As such, they are subject to Texas usury laws.
T F
If a tenant has damaged property, at the end of the lease, the maximum liability the tenant faces is set by the amount of the security deposit.
T F
If a landlord has casualty insurance on the premises, the tenant's property is automatically covered by the landlord's policy.
T F
With both residential and commercial leases, the landlord has a duty to mitigate damages if the tenant breaches the lease by moving out early.
T F
A residential landlord may change the locks and withhold a new key from the tenant until all delinquent rent is paid.
T F

For an explanation to all answers, click here.

Fambrough is an attorney, member of the State Bar of Texas and senior lecturer with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

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