texastenant.org

Texas renter, running into issue with security deposit after move-out. Brief overview: Moved out on July 31. I have not received a deposit check OR a list of deductions from ex-landlord even up to today. Texas property code says "Sec. 92.109. LIABILITY OF LANDLORD. (a) A landlord who in bad faith retains a security deposit in violation of this subchapter is liable for an amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld, and the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees in a suit to recover the deposit. (b) A landlord who in bad faith does not provide a written description and itemized list of damages and charges in violation of this subchapter: (1) forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit or to bring suit against the tenant for damages to the premises; and (2) is liable for the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees in a suit to recover the deposit. (c) In an action brought by a tenant under this subchapter, the landlord has the burden of proving that the retention of any portion of the security deposit was reasonable. (d) A landlord who fails either to return a security deposit or to provide a written description and itemization of deductions on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders possession is presumed to have acted in bad faith." I called him today to ask why I had not received any information from him. It got heated quickly. I had already looked this up, but I just found that a local tenants support site said that if the landlord did not provide a list of damages or a check in 30 days, he was no longer able to make any claims at all. Site here: http://texastenant.org/security_deposit.html "If the landlord acted in bad faith, then the landlord by law cannot make any deductions to the deposit whether or not you damaged the premises. Section 92.109(b), Property Code." Does this actually mean that? The landlord is now (as of today) claiming that he doesn't think the s