Okay - Back at a computer and a real keyboard . . .
So here goes . . .
First and foremost - The Disclaimer: I am Not - Nor do I pretend to be an Attorney or involved with the legal system in any way other then as an Tenants Rights Advocate (Professionally/Personally) and as a Tenant who has gone through this process many a time . . . So with that said - this information is for "Lisa" and anyone else who may be interested or need to know . . .
The opinions and statements that were offered by everyone else were on target . . .
More Importantly and What Matters Right NOW -
The Letter in question that was sent to "Lisa" - IMO - was a typical Generic Form Letter that is USUALLY (but not always) sent by the "Court"/"Country Court Clerk's Office" to both parties that are mentioned in the original complaint . . . Both the Plaintiff ("Lisa's" JERK LANDLORD/Management Agent) and the Defendant ("Lisa") . . .Mainly to inform them that
either or both parties "NAMED" in the case could appeal the decision of the Court (aka Judge/Magistrate) and accordingly what the fees would be associated with such filings . . .
Again - IMO - This is in NO WAY a document stating that such an appeal is and/or has been made . . . NOR IT IS STATING THAT "YOU" HAVE TO GO TO COURT AGAIN (AT THE MOMENT) OR PAY ANY OF THESE FEES (Sorry for the cap lock - but I am leaving it, since it is so appropriate) . . . This of course can and should be confirmed by calling the County Court Clerks Office as soon as possible (as "You" - "Lisa" already stated you will be doing . . .
NEXT . . .
As I have already mentioned - "Lisa" (and anyone else that this possibly may happen to in the future) - Without a doubt, "YOU" My FRIEND have been taken advantage of and in no uncertain terms "ABUSED" by your Landlord/s and the Management Agent/Company . . . IMO - They have "Stolen" Money from "YOU" and RAKED "YOU" Over The Coals In No Uncertain Terms by putting you through what you have been though . . . AND - For that reason alone - Let alone the satisfaction of "Getting Even" by hitting them in the pocketbook for what they did -
PLEASE SERIOUSLY Think About Talking them to Small Claims Court (BTW: From What I read in Your area "You" Personally can sue them for up to $10,000) for exactly what you said . . .
CHAT -
they fail to realize is that they failed to make repairs, month after month after month and then they tried to charge me to sublease the property and they STILL hadn't done the repairs, 5 months AFTER I LEFT. . . and they will pay MY LEGAL FEES.
Plus - any and all monies due YOU - Including the Security Monies and any additional fines to them that are DUE YOU - because they did not send it to you in a timely manner (30 Days); All the additional rents monies that you paid on a second apartment in their complex while still paying rent for the original and while they were supposedly "Fixing" YOUR APARTMENT so you could move back in; The Monies You Spent to Go somewhere else to sleep/bath, To Go out to eat, For all the items that were destroyed and had to be thrown out because of these problems, including Food/Toiletries/etc; Clean, Fix, and Replace what you could from the pipes breaking/leaks/etc. . . . I could go on, if only I could remember everything I listed the first time, but I think YOU get "My" Drift . . . Just the threat might make them think about settling with you out of court (as You can see was also suggest in the attached "Small Claims" info I link to below) and Not try this again with someone else (WHICH I DOUBT - THEY WILL DO THIS EVERY SINGLE CHANCE THEY CAN) . . .
Remember - from what You said about the hearing - the "Judge" in this case was upset and wanted to know what buildings they own and how many tenants there were . . . IMO - This would also be the prefect case for a case action suit for all the Tenants where you lived against this Landlord/Managing Agent by a Tenants Right Advocacy Group or even an Attorney in Your area to see if they would be willing to do so and/or help these other Tenants too . . . All of you COULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR ALL THE TENANTS IN THE COMMUNITY . . .
Something to REALLY THINK ABOUT . . . Just Sayin' . . .
SO when "YOU" ("Lisa") - Call the County Court Clerk's Office, might I suggest
"STRONGLY" that you ask for information concerning taking someone to "Small Claims" Court (I search in what I think is your area {"Brazos" County} and I found this about Small Claims:
http://www.brazoscountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/61 . . . BTW: Where I also know you can check out Civil Cases concerning your "Ex-Landlord and how many times they have been to court and the rulings too

- Here:
Judicial Records Search ) . . .
I really hope this information Helps . . . And - If there is
ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO - Please let me know . . . Just Sayin' . . .
