The full explanation
If the judge reasonably believes an unlawful lockout likely happened, the judge can issue the writ without first hearing from the landlord, who has the right to request a hearing. A landlord who disobeys it can be held in contempt. The judge can defer the filing costs.
An example
Javier finds the lock changed on his Houston apartment, and his landlord refuses to give him the new key. That afternoon he goes to the justice court in his precinct and files a sworn complaint for a writ of reentry.
You will see it in…
- The justice court for the precinct where you rent, in Texas
- The sworn complaint for reentry you file with the court
- The writ an officer serves on the landlord or the property manager
