HOUSTON – Imagine coming home after a long day, ready to unwind, only to find that your shower, bath, and faucets are running nothing but cold water. Now, imagine dealing with this issue, on and off, for six years. That’s the reality for Jimmy Thompson and his sister, residents of the Houston Falls of Edgebrook apartment complex.
Now, after raising concerns about the issue, Jimmy has been served a 30-day notice to vacate his apartment—leaving him scrambling for a place to live.
A Six-Year Struggle Without Hot Water
Jimmy Thompson has been a tenant at his apartment for six years. For the entirety of his stay, he says hot water has been a luxury he has not consistently enjoyed. To demonstrate the issue, he used a thermometer to measure the water temperature in his apartment—it never exceeded 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
“When I have to boil water just to bathe, it still doesn’t get as hot as it should. Plus, I have to watch my light bill,” Thompson explained.
Despite numerous complaints to property management, the issue remains unresolved. Three days ago, Thompson received a notice to vacate his unit. The reason? The letter from the complex stated, “Due to this ongoing issue with the temperature of the water not satisfying you, we will be releasing you from the lease agreement.”
Allegations of Retaliation
Thompson described his shock and dismay upon receiving the notice. “I was at work when I got the email. I just broke out into tears,” he said. Feeling as though he’s being punished for voicing his concerns, he reached out to the KPRC 2 Help Desk to better understand his rights as a tenant.
We consulted Eric Kwartler of Lone Star Legal Aid, who reviewed the notice. Kwartler believes the situation could be a case of retaliatory eviction. “Based on the letter, I would say this is likely a form of retaliation,” Kwartler said. He also emphasized the importance of documenting repair requests through certified letters sent to the landlord or property management.
Apartment Complex’s Response
When we visited the management office of Thompson’s complex, a representative stated that a notice to vacate was necessary to empty the unit for repairs to the water heater. However, the official notice cited the tenant’s dissatisfaction with the water temperature as the reason for the termination of the lease.
The situation isn’t isolated. As we were leaving the complex, another resident approached us to share their own notice to vacate after complaining about mold in their unit.
What’s Next?
For now, Thompson and his sister scrambling to either find a new home within the 30-day window or reach an agreement with The Falls of Edgebrook apartment complex. Meanwhile, questions remain about the legality of their eviction and whether the apartment complex is abiding by Texas tenant laws.
If you’re experiencing similar issues with your rental property, you may apply for assistance from Lone Star Legal Aid by visiting www.lonestarlegal.org or calling 1-800-733-8394. Be sure to document all repair requests in writing and send them via certified mail to protect your rights. Eligibility for free services is not automatic and is based on specific financial and other criteria. For those who may not qualify for free services, we encourage contacting the Texas Lawyer Referral Service for additional support by texting or calling 713-510-7100 or visiting www.txlrs.org.
Click here to learn more about evictions and landlord/tenant laws. You can also click here to report landlord retaliation.
