Houston Court Rules for Landlord in Eviction, Awards $6,270
A landlord filed an eviction lawsuit against a tenant for non-payment of rent. The tenant claimed a car accident and hospitalization prevented them from appearing in court. The court initially issued a default judgment for the landlord. After a trial, the court awarded the landlord possession of the property and monetary damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $4,770
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Case Overview
A landlord filed a forcible detainer action in Houston, Texas, on February 15, 2023, seeking possession of a residential property. The plaintiff alleged the tenant failed to pay $954.00 in monthly rent starting January 1, 2023, accumulating $1,908.00 in back rent, despite having entered a lease on December 5, 2022. A notice to vacate was issued on February 7, 2023. The landlord also stated the property was not subject to specific CARES Act provisions concerning covered dwellings or multifamily borrowers.
After alternative service was authorized and executed in early March 2023, the tenant failed to appear at the scheduled court date, later claiming a car accident and hospitalization. Consequently, a default judgment was entered on March 21, 2023, granting the landlord possession of the premises.
The tenant attempted to appeal the judgment on March 28, 2023, by filing a statement of inability to afford costs. The court required a $954.00 payment into its registry by April 4, 2023, for the appeal to proceed. The landlord obtained a Writ of Possession on April 5, 2023. A non-jury trial on May 30, 2023, concluded with a ruling for the landlord, awarding possession, $4,770.00 in monetary damages with post-judgment interest, and $1,500.00 in attorney's fees. The final judgment was entered on June 1, 2023.
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