Property Manager required to provide copy of lease? (Houston: apartment, tenant)

[HoustonTexan87]

My wife and I rent an apartment in Houston. About five months ago the owner sold the property to Ascension, and the new manager refuses to put ANYTHING into writing. Our unit was emptied for a foundation repair and now we cannot find our copy of the lease. Is the property owner/manager LEGALLY REQUIRED to provide another copy?

The manager argues that making copies of rent checks or providing receipts is 'too expensive', so I doubt she would be willing to run off a copy of the lease for us. Is there any legal standing to demand a copy?

[chris_ut]

They don't have to give you an extra copy unless you put a provision in the lease calling for it. If you file a lawsuit you can get a copy via discovery.

[WRM20]

Here's the relevant portion of the Texas Property Code:

Sec. 92.024. LANDLORD'S DUTY TO PROVIDE COPY OF LEASE. (a) Not later than the third business day after the date the lease is signed by each party to the lease, a landlord shall provide at least one complete copy of the lease to at least one tenant who is a party to the lease.
(b) If more than one tenant is a party to the lease, not later than the third business day after the date a landlord receives a written request for a copy of a lease from a tenant who has not received a copy of the lease under Subsection (a), the landlord shall provide one complete copy of the lease to the requesting tenant.
(c) A landlord's failure to provide a complete copy of the lease as described by Subsection (a) or (b) does not invalidate the lease or, subject to Subsection (d), prevent the landlord from prosecuting or defending a legal action or proceeding to enforce the lease.
(d) A landlord may not continue to prosecute and a court shall abate an action to enforce the lease, other than an action for nonpayment of rent, only until the landlord provides to a tenant a complete copy of the lease if the tenant submits to the court evidence in a plea in abatement or otherwise that the landlord failed to comply with Subsection (a) or (b).
(e) A landlord may comply with this section by providing to a tenant a complete copy of the lease:
(1) in a paper format;
(2) in an electronic format if requested by the tenant; or
(3) by e-mail if the parties have communicated by e-mail regarding the lease.

[TexasRedneck]

I can tell you one thing - no receipt, no rent payment from ME.

[War Beagle]

Id be taking pics of myself handing over a check.

[reenzz]

Ask the landlord if you can pay for a copy.

[TexasTony]

if you use a check, your bank should send you copy in the monthly statement when its deposited. You can even view that information online I believe..

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by TexasTony

if you use a check, your bank should send you copy in the monthly statement when its deposited. You can even view that information online I believe..

From chase online you just click a hyperlink in the activity and your cleared check image shows up