Rent adjustments
Answers to real estate questions as appearing
in the Houston Chronicle
By george stephens, CRB, AND Charles J. "Chuck" Jacobus, JD
Dear George: After Hurricane Ike, we were forced to vacate our apartment for one week because we had no water or power. Are we entitled to a rent adjustment for the week that we were unable to live in the apartment?
Answer: A catastrophe such as a hurricane is nobody's fault, so no one has any legal duties other than those in the lease. Ask your landlord if he is going to offer any adjustment; if not, find out why not. Additionally, consult your renters-insurance policy to see if it contains any coverage applicable to your situation.
E-mail your question to "Ask George & Chuck" or fax it to 281/596-7591. The answers to questions in this column do not contain legal advice. If you wish to obtain legal advice, you should consult your own attorney.
George Stephens, CRB, is the broker of ERA Stephens Properties. He is licensed as a mortgage broker in Texas and a real estate broker in Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
Charles J. Jacobus, JD, is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Residential and Commercial Real Estate Law, and the author of Texas Real Estate Law and Texas Real Estate, both published by Thomson Publishing. He also teaches at Champions School of Real Estate and Houston Community College, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
George and Chuck are co-authors of Texas
Real Estate Brokerage and Law of Agency published by Thomson Publishing.
