Property Law

Dallas homeowners could see stricter regulations on short-term rentals this fall.  The Dallas City Council is scheduled to vote on new regulations for these rentals in September. Many property owners with vacation or other second homes list them on vacation rental...

As a landlord, you have certain duties to your residential tenants. Some are set by law, and others are covered in the lease agreement. Your tenants also have a duty to comply with the terms of the lease. Many tenancies exist without any issues ever coming up, but...

Signing a commercial lease may seem like a simple, straightforward process. However, if you aren’t careful, you may lock yourself into terms that don’t work well for you or your business.  The best way to avoid this situation is to know what to do to protect yourself...

Texas state law and local Dallas ordinances dictate what property owners can do with their property and impose some maintenance obligations. Code enforcement has recently become a bigger priority in the Dallas area, with the city adding more workers to the department...

Sometimes, events beyond the control of the parties to a contract may prevent them from fulfilling their contractual obligations. Such events excuse the affected parties from performing the contract permanently or temporarily without legal consequences. For instance,...

Your neighbors play a large role in the culture of your community. Having a positive relationship with neighbors can make your life easier, but a contentious relationship can make every day a little more stressful. Identifying common sources of neighborly disputes can...

Hiring a contractor to remodel your home or update one of your investment properties is a major expense. You may lose access to or occupancy of the property for several weeks, and you will probably pay thousands of dollars to have that work done.  Unfortunately, while...

As an investor in commercial property, one of the most important aspects of your business is finding the right tenants. A sound commercial lease will generally be in the best interests of both parties. However, finding the right tenant is not as easy as it sounds. One...

You’ve had it with one of your tenants. Maybe they’re behind on their rent, and they’ve used up all of their excuses (and your good graces). Perhaps they’re destructive. Perhaps they’re simply unpleasant to deal with and complain about everything. Whatever the reason,...

If you’re leasing a commercial space, the lease agreement you have to sign is likely long, complex and filled with legalese. However, it’s crucial to understand what has been presented to you and to negotiate terms where you need to because this is the agreement...