Stop the Harassment
We silence the calls immediately. Using the Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA) and the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), we send formal cease and desist letters to ensure landlords and agencies stop harassing you.
Resolve “Broken Lease” & Apartment Debt
A “broken lease” on your record can ruin your chances of renting. We dispute incorrect credit reporting or negotiate to settle the debt for less than you owe. Our goal is to delete the account from your rental and credit reports entirely.
Eviction Defense & Judgment Settlement
Facing an eviction lawsuit (Forcible Entry and Detainer)? We ensure landlords follow every legal step, often buying you time or helping you stay. If you already have an eviction judgment, we can negotiate to settle it quickly so you can move on.
Lease Analysis & Tenant Rights
Landlords often try to enforce unlawful terms. We analyze your lease to find hidden defenses and clearly explain your rights under Texas Property Code, cutting through the legal jargon so you know exactly where you stand.
Reclaim Your Rental Freedom
- We Know the “Broken Lease” System: We have helped thousands of consumers navigate the specific hurdles of apartment collections and tenant screening roadblocks.
- Nationwide Power, Local Focus: While we operate nationwide, we possess deep, specific knowledge of Texas Property Codes and consumer protection laws that local landlords must follow.
- Save Money on Settlements: We can often negotiate payment plans or lump-sum settlements that are significantly lower than the landlord’s initial demand.
- Protect Your Future Housing: Our primary goal isn’t just fixing today’s debt—it’s cleaning up your rental history so you can get approved for your next home.
Aggressive Defense: We don’t just ask nicely; we demand that debt collectors prove every penny they claim you owe.
Pricing / Cost
Legal fees are based on the work needed to be done.
Debt Settlement (Quick Resolve)
Best for: Settling debt in less than 30 days to remove it from credit reports. (Settlement amount is paid separately to the collector)
Amount Owed
$100 - $2.5k
Amount Owed
$2.5k - $10k
Amount Owed
$10k - $20k
Dispute & Resolve (Full Defense)
Best for: Fighting invalid charges, disputing credit reporting, and negotiating complex settlements.
Amount Owed
$100 - $2.5k
Amount Owed
$2.5k - $10k
Amount Owed
$10k - $20k
Eviction Judgment Settlement
Best for: Settling an old court judgment in less than 30 days.
Amount Owed
$100 - $2.5k
Amount Owed
$2.5k - $10k
Amount Owed
$10k - $20k
- $1,500+ / Month: Full Representation in Litigation
- $150: One-time Lease Review & Counsel
Common Questions About Rental Debt & Evictions
Yes. You can apply for the Cannon Legal PLLC Hardship Program to potentially reduce our legal fees. Visit our website to apply. You can also reach out to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or Lone Star Legal Aid for free assistance.
If the landlord breached the lease first by failing to repair health hazards, you may have a valid defense against the debt. This is often called a “Constructive Eviction” defense. We can analyze your situation to see if this applies to you.
It can stay on public records and credit reports for up to seven years. However, if the judgment was issued in error or if we can negotiate a settlement with the creditor, we may be able to mitigate the damage to your rental history.
Absolutely. Under the FDCPA and TDCA, you have the right to send a “Cease and Desist” letter. Once received, they are legally required to stop harassing you. We can send this letter on your behalf.
This is the first step of eviction. It is a letter demanding you move out. In Texas, they usually must give you at least three days’ notice before they can even file the lawsuit, unless your lease says otherwise.
Generally, no. In Texas, a landlord must go through the formal court eviction process. Locking you out without a court order (except in very specific, rare lease clauses regarding key changes) is usually illegal.
Do not ignore it. You must file a written answer with the Justice Court by the deadline on the paper (usually 5-7 days). If you don’t answer, you will lose by default. Contact us immediately to help draft your response.
If an apartment denies you, ask them specifically which screening company they used. You can then contact that company (e.g., RealPage, AppFolio) to request your free consumer report. Once you know who is reporting it, Cannon Legal PLLC can help you dispute it.
Apartment complexes use “Tenant Screening Agencies” (like independent rental bureaus), not just standard credit reports. Even if your credit report is clean, the rental bureau might still show a “skip” or eviction. You need to dispute the record with that specific agency.
Yes, it is possible. If we find errors in the accounting, we can force a correction or deletion. Even if the debt is valid, we can often negotiate a “pay for delete” or a settlement where the collector agrees to stop reporting the negative item once paid.
This is common. The eviction judgment usually only covers what was owed on the day of court. However, your lease may have “accelerated,” adding future rent, re-letting fees, and damages to the total balance. We can review your accounting to ensure these extra fees are actually legal.
Yes, if your landlord has breached the lease agreement (e.g., by failing to make necessary repairs), this can be a potential defense against an eviction for non-payment of rent or a counterclaim in a debt collection lawsuit.
Yes, it is often possible to negotiate a payment plan or settlement with your landlord or the collection agency representing them. Having legal representation can sometimes improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
An eviction lawsuit that results in a judgment against you can appear on your rental report as a public record. Additionally, any unpaid rent or fees that are sent to collections can also negatively impact your credit score.
You have the right to send a cease communication letter to the debt collector (which could be the landlord or a collection agency) under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA). This letter demands they stop contacting you directly.
If you believe your eviction was wrongful because the landlord didn’t follow proper procedures or had no legal basis, you may have grounds to contest the eviction in court or potentially pursue a wrongful eviction lawsuit against the landlord.
A notice to vacate is a written notice from the landlord demanding that you move out of the property. Unless your lease provides for a longer period, Texas law generally requires a landlord to give at least three days’ written notice to vacate before filing an eviction lawsuit.
Generally, no. In Texas, a landlord typically must go through a formal eviction process in court to legally remove a tenant. There are specific procedures they must follow, including providing a notice to vacate.
Landlords attempting to collect debt are subject to the Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA). They cannot use illegal or harassing tactics. You have the right to demand they cease communication.
You must file a written answer with the Justice Court where the lawsuit was filed by the deadline stated in the citation, which is typically within a short timeframe. Failure to file an answer can result in a default judgment against you.
Apartments also received information from other sources other than credit reports. You will have to turn to independent rental reporting agencies. They are like the credit bureaus but for rental reporting.
If you are declined take the following steps to find who is negatively reporting:
- Contact the apartment that just declined you because of the rental report. Ask them what company they use to find information on you.
- Go HERE to locate the company that they said.
- Contact that company to obtain your report so you can find out who is reporting.
- Contact the debt collector or Apartment complex reporting the information
- OR Hire the Cannon Legal PLLC to assist you.
To resolve an apartment collection, begin by disputing with the debt collector to obtain the lease and accounting documentation. Then, using your understanding of Texas Property Code, the lease, and the accounting, evaluate if the charges are accurate. If errors are found, the debt collector should correct them. If the charges are accurate, consider negotiating a settlement to remove the account from your credit report.
The Cannon Legal PLLC can often help you find a solution faster and possibly on more favorable terms.
Most apartment applications only require that previous rental debt was taken care of. Therefore, a paid letter will often suffice, as not all apartment debt collectors will agree to remove settled accounts from credit reports.
The total sum owed to the apartment complex can exceed the amount stated on the judgment due to additional fees stipulated in the lease agreement or damages incurred. On the day of eviction, the landlord only includes the amount due that day in the lawsuit.