Landlord Liability FAQ | Texas Family Law Powerhouse

Question 1

Is a Texas landlord liable for tenant's overservice of alcohol or criminal acts?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including Kimberly Pickens v. Robert J. Hewitt. A landlord’s contractual right to evict a tenant for illegal conduct does not create a legal duty to protect third parties from the tenant’s negligence. For family law practitioners, this provides a vital defense to shield a 'passive' spouse or a real estate holding entity from the operational liabilities and tort judgments arising from a business run by the other spouse.

Question 2

What happens when a landlord fails to evict a tenant in Texas?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including Kimberly Pickens v. Robert J. Hewitt. A landlord’s contractual right to evict a tenant for illegal conduct does not create a legal duty to protect third parties from the tenant’s negligence. For family law practitioners, this provides a vital defense to shield a 'passive' spouse or a real estate holding entity from the operational liabilities and tort judgments arising from a business run by the other spouse.