Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas

Re: Disclosure of Murder

There is a duty to disclose violent crimes with respect to the purchase of real estate, but I could not find that duty concerning leased properties. The law that would relate to this can be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/py/py0009200toc.html and you are welcome to check behind me and see if you can find anything. With that said, I would first write a strong letter to the landlord stating that you would have never leased the apartment if you knew of the crime committed there and request that you be released from the lease with no penalties. If your landlord fails to do that, you could try suing him or her in small claims court for the outstanding amount of your rental payments (it must be under $5,000) and if you win, you can use that money to buy yourself out of the lease. In order not to go to court, your landlord might be enticed to release you at that point. Best of luck.