Austin Referral Service Explained

News 8’s Luke Ellis talks about the Austin Lawyer Referral Service, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect people with the right lawyers to resolve their issues.

What is the Austin Lawyer Referral Service?
It’s a nonprofit organization that has been around for about 40 years that try to connect people who can afford individuals who can afford legal services, but have no connections to lawyers in specialty areas.

How does the Austin Lawyer Referral Service work?
You can contact the Austin Referral Service by phone or at their website. Then you will explain your issue or legal problem you want addressed. They will try to pair you with a lawyer that can help you in a particular area and then a short 30-minute consultation (minimal fee of about $30) to determine if you want to work with that lawyer.

What are some of the main benefits to using Austin Lawyer Referral Service?
There are many benefits to using the service. First, it allows the legal consumer to connect with a lawyer. That lawyer will have a background specific to your issue. They will give you an issue evaluation and provide initial feedback. The nominal expense for the entire consultation process ranges from $20-$30. The consultation process will determine if the lawyer is right for you.

Stolen Rent Checks

If your check is stolen, who’s responsible — you or your landlord?

If you think someone stole your rent, immediately put it in writing — in a certified letter to your landlord. State what day and time you paid the rent, and include any copies of checks or money order receipts. Also, file a police report immediately.

Under state law, a landlord can’t force you to pay rent all over again, but they can try to evict you. If that happens, experts say, go to court, bring your evidence and bring anyone else whose checks were stolen.

Tenants rights experts say, it’s best to pay your rent with a personal check. That way, you can stop payment on it, and get copies of it once it’s cashed. If that’s not possible, cashier’s checks and more secure than money orders, because they’re printed on a computer.

Make Your Voice Heard, Part II

Have you ever been approved for emergency rental assistance and then the landlord refused to accept this money?

If so, the Austin Tenants’ Council wants to hear from you! ATC is looking for tenants willing to tell their story about this important issue before the Texas Legislature. Call ATC at 474-0197 to make sure your voice is heard!

Make Your Voice Heard, Part I

The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office invites citizens to participate in the COA FY2009-14 Consolidated Plan public process. The consolidated plan will be used as a blueprint for identifying community priorities for funding to address priority housing, community development, economic development, and public service needs.

Citizens may submit public feedback through a survey regarding the needs of the City of Austin community. Submit public feedback through the Consolidated Plan Survey in English and Spanish (Encuesta en Espanol).

Rent Thieves

Keep a close eye on what you put in the mail; crooks are stealing identities and your rent.

Lisa Carmona said what happened to her may be happening to other consumers during this hectic economy.

“Everybody knows rent is due on the first (of the month) so just be aware because there’s criminals out there,” Carmona said.

Carmona said somebody stole her rent money. It consisted of several hundreds of dollars in money orders.

Carmona said she placed her rent money in her apartment’s drop box. She said her apartment claimed they never received the payment. More…

Eight Ways to Deal Wisely With Debt Collectors

Consumers often make costly mistakes when creditors seek repayment. Among the mistakes to avoid: ignoring communication by creditors, even if you don’t have enough money to pay. Ease the stress of dealing with debt collectors by following these eight tips.

Recycling Options at Large Apartment Complexes

What are your recycling options if you live in an apartment complex? A City of Austin ordinance requires complexes with at least 100 units to provide recycling of at least four of these:

• Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
• Glass bottles
• Plastic bottles labeled one and two
• Newspaper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Kraft paper bags
• Home office paper or junk mail

Call 311 to report an apartment complex that is not complying with the ordinance.

Was It Retaliation?

Is landlord booting out tenant because of a deck dispute, asks John Keslo in the Austin American Statesman.

Section 92.331 of the Texas Property Code prohibits retaliation by a landlord because the tenant:

1. Exercises or attempts to exercise against a landlord a right or remedy granted to the tenant by lease, municipal ordinance, or federal or state statute;
2. Gives a landlord a notice to repair or exercise a remedy under this chapter; or
3. Complains to a governmental entity responsible for enforcing building or housing codes, a public utility, or a civic or nonprofit agency.

The landlord may not, within six months after the date of the tenant’s action, retaliate against the tenant by:

1. Filing an eviction proceeding, except for the grounds stated by Section 92.332;
2. Depriving the tenant of the use of the premises, except for reasons authorized by law;
3. Decreasing services to the tenant;
4. Increasing the tenant’s rent or terminating the tenant’s lease;  or
5. Engaging in a course of conduct that materially interferes with the tenant’s rights under the tenant’s lease.

New Affordable Housing Options

The Housing Authority of Travis County recently opened three new apartment communities to provide housing for people earning less than the area’s median family income ($42,650 for a family of four). For details, click here.

Utility Bill Assistance

The City of Austin offers several programs to help customers keep their utility account in good standing.

Payment Assistance
The Customer Assistance Program helps eligible customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bill. Click here for information on applying for financial assistance.

Fee Waivers and Discounts
Eligible customers qualify for the following fee waiver and discounts:

• $6/month waiver of the customer electric service charge;
• Reduced rate for green power;
• 50-percent reduction on the residential drainage fee.

Deferred Payment Agreements
A deferred payment agreement allows customers the opportunity to bring their account balance current and keep their utility account in good standing. The past due amount is spread out over a period of time allowing customers extra time to become current on their account.