I am renting an apartment to my daughter in Texas. How long must I wait to change the locks for no-payment.?

Question

I gave her a week to move, but the last time she left her stuff for 4 months.

Answer 1

Each state has a different Landlord-Tenant Act designed to protect the rights of both parties in a rental agreement.   Your daughter is protected by the same Texas Tenant Act as you are.  

In my opinion you are obligated to follow  the eviction process that is stated in the Act even if it's your own daughter.  

If the Texas Tenancy Act is like most, then you need to serve your daughter with an eviction notice (usually called a 5 day notice).  Further, you must have legal cause to evict her.  You just cannot tell her you have a week to move out and then change the locks if  she doesn't comply.  Nor can you just get rid of her belongings if she leaves anything behind.  Most Tenancy Acts state a holding period (the landlord needs to keep the belongings safe for a period ot time)

So bottom line- don't change the locks or you just might regret it.

Sorry to hear that you and your daughter are at odds with each other.  I hope you can work it out amicably but having entered into a "landlord/tenant" arrangement you're expected to play by the rules.

Answer 2

Texas landlord/tenant law allows lock outs, but you must follow the letter of the law and must be available to giv ethe tenant a key and allow the tenant entry.

http://www.law.uh.edu/peopleslawyer/tena...

http://www.housing-rights.org/lockout.ht...

Answer 3

YOu can change the locks when the local judge says you can.  Not one minute sooner.  You pay $35 at the courthouse and 30 days later the sheriff escorts you into the house. You can rekey at that time and not one day sooner.

Unless your daughter and you make an agreement otherwise.  The judge is very much hoping that you do this.

Answer 4

The last time?!?  

In many states, you cannot change the locks.  You must go through the eviction process.  Check the laws in TX.  And don't rent to her again if you're going to have to evict her all the time.

Answer 5

it depend on state law.   most states you can not lock out a tenant you can disposes them you must go to court.  a week is insufficient notice.  30 days is needed in most states weather relative or not

Answer 6

Laws are different from state to state, but you can't keep her from retrieving her property. If you do want to change the lock's have the County Sheiff post a three day notice on the door first. That will keep you out of any problem's.