Rebecca sought assistance from Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military and Veterans Unit (MVU) after her landlord attempted to evict her for the second time, despite her continued compliance with her lease and rental obligations.
Rebecca lives in her home with the assistance of a Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher, an important resource that helps make stable housing possible for her. Her landlord previously attempted to evict her for alleged nonpayment of rent, but that case was unsuccessful. The landlord later pursued eviction again, this time claiming that Rebecca was unlawfully remaining in the apartment after her lease expired.
MVU attorneys reviewed the circumstances and determined that Rebecca’s tenancy had automatically converted to month-to-month and that the landlord had continued accepting rental payments. Rebecca also had not received the required notice terminating or non-renewing her tenancy. In addition, the landlord had been charging utility fees that were not authorized under her lease.
MVU represented Rebecca in the eviction proceeding and challenged the landlord’s claims. The court gave the landlord additional time to produce evidence that the required notice was provided. The landlord was unable to produce evidence establishing that proper notice was given.
MVU successfully defended Rebecca against the eviction, allowing her to remain in her home and protecting her VASH housing assistance.
Rebecca’s case demonstrates the value of specialized legal advocacy for Veterans facing housing instability. By addressing the legal issues threatening her tenancy, MVU helped protect both Rebecca’s home and the housing assistance that made that home possible.
This work was supported by the Texas Veterans Commission.