ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – Evictions are on the rise in Round Rock. Williamson County Precinct one Justice of the Peace Dain Johnson has averaged 43 eviction cases a month since January. With another week to go in July, Judge Johnson has already received 53 cases – in which 31 were filed last week alone.

“This last July seems to have been an anomaly,” said Judge Johnson.

He is counting on a new online case filing system to help with the increase of cases. Johnson is one of seven justices of the peace in the state to offer landlords and attorneys the option to file eviction cases online.

Before the cases ever reach the bench, complainants can file evictions through Judge Johnson’s website, which links landlords and attorneys to a state run site through Texas Online.

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Rep. Elliott Naishtat of Austin has filed House Bill 2824 in the Texas House of Representatives. If passed, this bill would require a court to appoint a lawyer to represent a tenant who has filed a pauper’s affidavit in an appeal of an eviction judgment.

Call your state representative to let him/her know your thoughts on the proposed legislation. Find out who represents you.

If you would like to speak before the Texas Legislature on these issues, contact the Austin Tenants’ Council at 512-474-7006.

Rep. Joe Deshotel of Beaumont has filed House Bill 2427 in the Texas House of Representatives. This bill addresses a number of tenant-landlord issues including:

• A tenant’s right to terminate a lease without penalty due to job loss or violent crime;
• Amounts owed to a landlord if a tenant terminates a lease early without cause;
• When a landlord may enter a rental unit;
• When a landlord may report a debt to a credit reporting agency;
• Evictions;
• Reimbursement of utility services if the landlord uses a tenant’s electricity; and
• No discrimination based on a tenant’s source of income.

Call your state representative to let him/her know your thoughts on the proposed legislation. Find out who represents you.

If you would like to speak before the Texas Legislature on these issues, contact the Austin Tenants’ Council at 512-474-7006.