My question involves an eviction in the state of: Texas

It is the last month of my lease and I am late on my rent due to financial issues. I arrive home this evening and my locks have been changed. There IS a lockout notice in the lease agreement that I am aware of. However the Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 91.001-92.354. states that the below conditions must be met before a lockout can be preformed:

The lease must include written notice of the landlord’s right to exercise a lockout.
The tenant must be behind on rent.
The landlord must give advance, written notice to the tenant.
The tenant does not have to pay any money to regain entry into the rental unit.
The landlord must give the tenant a key upon request.

It appears I have the legal right to terminate the lease because NO ADVANCED WRITTEN NOTICE WAS GIVEN WITHIN 5 DAYS (VIA MAIL) OR 3 DAYS POSTED ON THE ENTRY DOOR.

So, my question is: how do i go about terminating the lease? Do I need to file a police report to provide proof of an illegal lockout in case this whole thing goes to court?

Given my current financial circumstances, MY GOAL is to not have the broken lease on my credit report, would having the lease legally canceled this way prevent this outcome?


Your help is very appreciated.


Rgds,

TD