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Take It to Akin resources and information for apartment renters

Texas Apartment Association - http://www.taa.org/renterinfo

Houston Apartment Association - http://www.haaonline.org/renters/

Houston Consumer Complaint Center - http://www.texasccc.com/

The Law that protects Renters, Texas Property Code - http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm

Texas Attorney General - https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/tenants.shtml

Texas Tenants' Union - http://www.txtenants.org/who_we_are.html

Texas Tenant Advisor - http://tenant.net/Other_Areas/Texas/txlihs/tenadvis.html

Renter's Insurance Information - http://www.taa.org/images/assets/PDF/renter/tdi%20renters%20insurance%20brochure.pdf

Bedbug information for renters - http://www.taa.org/images/assets/PDF/renter/Bed_Bugs_-_A_Guide_for_Apartment_Residents.pdf

USPS link explaining Certified mail/Return Receipt Requested - http://www.certified-mail-envelopes.com/certified-mail-return-receipt-requested/

Water Bills. State Law. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Tenant Guide to Allocated Water or Wastewater Service - http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/publications/gi/gi-276.html

Tenant Guide to Submetered Water or Wastewater Service - http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/publications/gi/gi-277.html

How to Handle Requests for Repairs:

What must I do exactly in order to obtain repairs from my landlord?

Ask him / her (in writing if specified by the lease). Remember that your rent must be paid up-to-date.

I've asked my landlord to make repairs, but she has not done so. What do I do?

Write a letter to the landlord and / or manager that includes the following:

• Date

• Repair problem

• Whether the problem is a threat to health / safety

• Deadline for repairs to begin (5 days is considered reasonable. In the case of an emergency -- 24 hours)

• Signature

The letter should be hand delivered to the landlord (Bring a witness along) or sent to the landlord by both regular or Certified mail, or Return Receipt Requested mail. Keep a copy of this letter.

When the deadline given is exceeded without the landlord making a diligent effort to make repairs, tenant should write a second and final notice including:

• Date

• Repair problem

• Whether the problem is a threat to your health / safety

• Notice that unless the repairs are made in seven days, the tenant will:

1. take legal action under the Texas Property Code to enforce repairs and recover damages; or

2. terminate the lease and move; or

3. exercise rights to repair and deduct if repairs are not made; or

4. a request for a written explanation for the delay in making the repair.

Again, the letter should be hand delivered to the landlord (Bring a witness along) or sent to the landlord by both regular or Certified mail, or Return Receipt Requested mail. Keep a copy of this letter. Click here for more information on Tenant Remedies for Non-Repair.

Can't I simply deduct the cost of repairs from my rent instead of waiting for a response from the landlord?

No. Renters should never withhold rent because repairs have not been made. You risk eviction and may forfeit all rights to have repairs made. Commercial renters have different rights, however, and should consult an attorney.

What do I do if my landlord ignores my request for repairs?

If both letters are ignored without the landlord making a diligent effort to make repairs, you may -- under the Texas Property Code:

• Vacate the unit and still be entitled to a refund of the security deposit (as long as there is no damage to the unit beyond the usual wear and tear) and a refund of the rent for the remainder of the month after you leave in accordance with the law

• Take the landlord to Justice, County, or District Court where an order may be issued:

o Directing the landlord to make repairs (available only in County and District Courts)

o Granting partial rent reduction

o Awarding tenant one month's rent plus $500.00

o Awarding the tenant money for actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs

Sample Letter to Landlord

Date

To: landlord or manager's name

Apartment Complex name

Street Address

City, State Zip code

Dear________________

I live in (apartment number).

On (date) I discovered ( state problem) .

This condition affects the health and safety of an ordinary tenant. I have not caused or contributed to this problem.

Please repair (state problem) immediately.

You can reach me at (phone number).

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Friday, May 17

- www.warriorsweekend.org/

Thursday, May 16
- http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr051613.html (Video of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety sport utility vehicle crash tests)
- http://konainspired.thismoment.com/us/base/newkonainspiredmobile?region_id=us&content_id=727&noflash#content_727 (Support Kerry Huston in the IronMan Challenge)

Friday, May 3
- Houston Blogger
http://www.amberambrose.com/ (Amber Ambrose blog)
https://www.sundancecinemas.com/ (Sundance Cinemas)
- http://shanarossfitness.com/ (Shana Ross Fitness)
- http://shanarossfitness.com/projects-events.html (join or donate to Horton Hears A Cure MD Anderson Sprint For Life 5K Team)

- http://www.rice360.rice.edu/dayoneproject  (Click here to help with expansion of Neonatal Unit in Malawi:)

Wednesday, May 1
- http://www.bringinghopetothetable.com/ (The Kroger Co. Bringing Hope to the Table®)
-- http://centralhouston.jbfsale.com/ (Just Between Friends SPRING/SUMMER SALE and diaper drive from May 2 until May 4)

Tuesday, April 30
- http://bellabodyfit.com/ (Bella Body Fitness)
- http://youtu.be/AuSMHPhRZbs (Hoopnotica Fitness Hoop workout from Solutions.com)

Friday, April 26

- http://www.alexandrialowitzer.com/ (Have you seen Ali Lowitzer?)
- Houston Blogger
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/ribs_and_ramen_reign_supreme_a.php

Wednesday, April 24
- http://www.savelovegive.com/ (Save Love Give, free service helps you save money on your wireless bill)
- http://operaintheheights.org/ ("Verdi Falstaff" at Opera in the Heights)

Monday, April 22
- http://childrenatrisk.org/research/school-rankings (8th annual Texas School Rankings by CHILDREN AT RISK)

Thursday, April 18
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YTWsJWQrUw (West, TX Explosion - Split Screen)

Wednesday, April 17
- http://bit.ly/11eHioC ('Super Kids' Greater Houston Soap Box Derby)

Monday, April 15
- http://www.ymcacampcullen.org/summer-camp/ (YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity)

Friday, April 13
- http://www.gulfcoastwing.org/ (Gulf Coast Wing, a unit of the Commemorative Air Force)
- Houston Blogger
http://www.tastingroomwines.com/index.php (The Tasting Room)   
http://www.amberambrose.com/ (Amber Ambrose blog)
- Univ. of St. Thomas provides free tax return preparation to the community through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Volunteers will file tax returns from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at MD Anderson YMCA on 705 Cavalcade, 77009. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the MD Anderson YMCA by phone at 713-697-0648.

Friday, April 5
- http://familystrenghtheningconference-eorg.eventbrite.com/ (Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - CONFERENCE - Saturday, April 6)
- http://houstonsymphony.org/tickets/production/detail?id=4290 (Houston Symphony Spanish Masters on Friday, April 5, Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7 at Jones Hall)
- http://www.depelchin.org/ (DePelchin Children's Center adoption programs)
- http://macys.iheart.com/macys/entries/profile/31.html (support musician Ira Perez in the Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star contest)
- Learn to be a forensic artist from expert Lois Gibson between April 15 and 19 from 8:30 until 5 p.m. daily at BEST WESTERN PLUS The Woodlands. Classes cost $1,200 per person. Learn more about the classes by contacting instituteforforensicart@yahoo.com or by phone at 713-291-8653.

Thursday, April 4

IRS Identity Theft Protection Page

Form 14039 - IRS Identity Theft Affidavit

Wednesday, April 3
- http://babyzachs.com/ (Baby Zach's Fine Foods Inc., as feature on Lone Star Spirit segment)

Friday, March 29
- Houston Blogger
http://classicaltheatre.org/ (Houston Classical Theatre Company)
http://www.houstonpress.com/authors/abby-koenig/ (Abby Koenig blog on Houston Press)
- http://youtu.be/l6R6N4Vy0nE (Activision R&D Real-time Character Demo)

Thursday, March 28

- Valuation Guide for Donors
http://www.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Donation_Valuation_Guide.pdf
- Salvation Army Guide for Valuing non cash donations
http://www.salvationarmy.com/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/D477340FFA28755C8525743D0049D1EF?openDocument&charset=utf-8

Wednesday, March 27
- https://newforthenight.com/how-it-works/ (New for the Night - Borrow Something Beautiful)
- http://www.couturehouserentals.com/ (Couture House Rentals)

Tuesday, March 26
- http://houstonrd.org/ (developed by registered dietitians in Houston)

Monday, March 25
- Houston Blogger
Lights Camera Action Houston South Asian Lifestyle Society News

Friday, March 22
- http://www.essentialtremor.org/siteresources/data/files/education%20event%20flyers/2013/houstontx.pdf
- Houston Blogger
Crawfish & Noodles
Mai Pham blog on Examiner.com
Mai Pham blog on Houston Press

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
- http://www.bbvacompassstadium.com/

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
- http://fertilegroundctc.org/
- http://careerandrecovery.org/
- http://www.shayshouse.com/
- http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/LED-Light-Bulbs-Recalled-by-Lighting-Science-Group/