Anyone familiar with landlord - tenant laws in Texas?
This past Monday, I received a note on my door saying that I violated the animal policy of the apartment. On Saturday, I had visitors that brought over a dog momentarily. For the majority of the time that the guests were here (approximately 2.5 hours), the dog was tied to the back of their truck and was therefore not in the apartment. The dog briefly entered into the apartment and just walked around on the carpet, and about 15 minutes later my guests left. Then on Monday, I got the note saying that I had to pay 100 dollars for animal violation or risk late fees.
I called the management office, and the manager claims she was walking her dog that day and saw the guests with the pet enter into my apartment and therefore is fining me for the violation. My question is, if they have no physical proof that there was ever an animal in my apartment (the dog didn't do any damage, left no mark anywhere) would I have to pay the fine? If this were to escalate to court, what would happen? Also during the phone conversation with the apartment manager, at the spur of the moment, I admitted to my guests bringing a pet over to my apartment, is it usual for apartment managements to record calls? If not, I could just say that I never admitted my guests ever bringing an animal to the property? I don't believe there are video cameras in the complex, so I don't think they have visual evidence.
Just want to add, when I admitted to my guests bringing a dog over, at the spur of the moment, I implied that I will pay the 100 dollar violation. But I asked them to extend the due date to the end of the month. And they promptly sent over another note stating the new due date. I'm not sure if they can claim any evidence from this?
This past Monday, I received a note on my door saying that I violated the animal policy of the apartment. On Saturday, I had visitors that brought over a dog momentarily. For the majority of the time that the guests were here (approximately 2.5 hours), the dog was tied to the back of their truck and was therefore not in the apartment. The dog briefly entered into the apartment and just walked around on the carpet, and about 15 minutes later my guests left. Then on Monday, I got the note saying that I had to pay 100 dollars for animal violation or risk late fees.
I called the management office, and the manager claims she was walking her dog that day and saw the guests with the pet enter into my apartment and therefore is fining me for the violation. My question is, if they have no physical proof that there was ever an animal in my apartment (the dog didn't do any damage, left no mark anywhere) would I have to pay the fine? If this were to escalate to court, what would happen? Also during the phone conversation with the apartment manager, at the spur of the moment, I admitted to my guests bringing a pet over to my apartment, is it usual for apartment managements to record calls? If not, I could just say that I never admitted my guests ever bringing an animal to the property? I don't believe there are video cameras in the complex, so I don't think they have visual evidence.
Just want to add, when I admitted to my guests bringing a dog over, at the spur of the moment, I implied that I will pay the 100 dollar violation. But I asked them to extend the due date to the end of the month. And they promptly sent over another note stating the new due date. I'm not sure if they can claim any evidence from this?
Facebook
Twitter