HOUSTON -- Signing a lease is a common requirement when renting an apartment. But many renters don't read the fine print and may not understand the legal wording.

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How To Handle Apartment Dispute

That can cause problems when disputes arise, especially if it's not spelled out in writing.

Late Fee Dispute

Jimi Ollison was upset because of late charges he incurred after a bounced rent check. He doesn't dispute the bounced check; he just wonders how the apartment managers can charge him so much in late fees.

"I'm getting charged for days that I had no idea that the check was even returned," Ollison said.

The late fees added up this way: the check bounced on Sept. 3. The apartment told him about it on Sept. 16, when the check cleared. But between Sept. 3rd and Sept. 16, Ollison was charged daily late fees.

Attorney Rich Tomlinson said that Ollison doesn't have much of a complaint since the apartment managers did nothing wrong.

"I just don't think that they were under any duty to tell him. He was under a duty to make sure the first check he gave them was good," Tomlinson said.

Since the landlord was in the right, Ollison paid the late fees and learned a valuable lesson in the process.

Tomlinson suggests that renters check their lease to see what the late-fee policy is.

Unresolved Apartment Problems

Patricia Sherman was thoroughly disgusted with her apartment complex.

She has had a constant stream of problems -- from a broken air conditioner to missing window screens to a cabinet that wouldn't close properly.

Sherman called the apartment managers and wrote them twice.

"I wrote them a list detailing what five items I wanted them to repair," Sherman said.

Sherman did the right thing, according to the Houston Apartment Association. After written notices, apartment managers are legally bound to take care of the problems.

"If they are not taken care of in a certain amount of time, she can break the lease. It's all spelled out in the lease agreement," said Dave Hargrove with the Houston Apartment Association.

Sherman said that her complex finally fixed the air conditioner, but nothing else.

Renters can also complain to the resident relations committee of the Houston Apartment Association. Call (281) 933-2224 for more information.

Free Telephone Legal Advice

The Houston Bar Association offers free legal advice over the telephone through LegalLine.

The Mexican American Bar and the Hispanic Bar, together with the Houston Bar Association, offer Consejos Legales for Spanish speakers.

The Asian community, together with the Houston Bar Association, offers LegalLine for Vietnamese speakers.

LegalLine is held the first and third Wednesday of every month from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Consejos Legales for Spanish speakers is held the first Thursday of every month from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Vietnamese LegalLine for Vietnamese speakers is held the third Tuesday of every month from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

For all of these hotlines, call (713) 759-1133 during the time period specified.

More Information:

• Houston Apartment Association: Renter's Rights Information
• Houston Apartment Association's Resident Relations Hotline: (281) 933-2224, Ext. 2300. Leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned within 48 hours.
• Houston Bar Association's Web Site