Tex.
Prop. Code Section 92.167
Landlord’s Defenses Relating to Compliance with Tenant’s Request
(a)
A landlord has a defense to liability under Section 92.165 (Tenant Remedies for Other Landlord Violations) if on the date the tenant terminates the lease or files suit the tenant has not fully paid costs requested by the landlord and authorized by this subchapter.(b)
A management company or managing agent who is not the owner of a dwelling and who has not purported to be the owner in the lease has a defense to liability under Sections 92.164 (Tenant Remedies for Landlord’s Failure to Install or Rekey Certain Security Devices) and 92.165 (Tenant Remedies for Other Landlord Violations) if before the date the tenant is in possession of the dwelling or the date of the tenant’s request for installation, repair, replacement, change, or rekeying and before any property damage or personal injury to the tenant, the management company or managing agent:(1)
did not have funds of the dwelling owner in its possession or control with which to comply with this subchapter;(2)
made written request to the dwelling owner that the owner fund and allow installation, repair, change, replacement, or rekeying of security devices as required under this subchapter and mailed the request, certified mail return receipt requested, to the dwelling owner; and(3)
not later than the third day after the date of receipt of the tenant’s request, provided the tenant with a written notice:(A)
stating that the management company or managing agent has taken the actions in Subdivisions (1) and (2);(B)
stating that the owner has not provided or will not provide the necessary funds; and(C)
explaining the remedies available to the tenant for the landlord’s failure to comply.
Source:
Section 92.167 — Landlord's Defenses Relating to Compliance with Tenant's Request, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm#92.167 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
