Evidence Collection Tips for Renters
Having evidence of your problems helps you enforce your rights. Here are some tips.
Document.
Pictures and videos are worth a thousand words! Document any repair issues with your phone or camera!
Get proof.
Get proof that you submitted something! Always make a copy or take a picture of any document you give to management. You can ask for a receipt or ask management to sign, date, and give you a copy of your document.
Keep your documents.
Keep your documents! Put them in a safe place or store them electronically.
Record.
You can record! Texas law allows you to record someone, so you can use your phone to record video or audio.
Log Everything!
It’s important to keep track of what’s going on with your housing. Maintaining a log of ongoing problems and activities you take to try to get the problems resolved is a good way to keep a record so you don’t forget anything.
Make sure to log the following types of activities & issues:
Taking a video or picture
Calling Code
Code or management inspecting
Maintenance going to your apartment
Calling the management office
Going to the management office
Handing in or mailing a repair request
Anytime a housing problem occurs (eg., a leak starts, there is no hot water, sink clogs, management treats you badly)
