Repair Language

REPAIR LANGUAGE:

  It's your landlord's duty to repair or remedy most conditions in your unit that affect your health and safety unless you cause the damage through abnormal use, and so long as you follow the proper procedure to request such repairs. Make sure the lease doesn't say that you waive your rights by requiring the landlord to make these repairs. Although such clauses are often considered void, it's better to modify the lease than rely on the courts to resolve a dispute. See "Exceptions to the Landlord's Duty to Repair."

   Texas law dose NOT require a landlord to repair or remedy a condition that doesn't affect your health or safety, such as a defective dishwasher. Therefore, you should read the lease to see if the landlord promises to repair such problems. If she doesn't, you should ask her to change the lease to include repairing these problems. See "Repairs and Improvements."