Breaching a Lease in TX

[SheRah]

I lived in Houston, TX and just accepted a job in Austin. I entered into a lease-to-own agreement with my landlord for a house in Houston. I have since found out those agreements are no longer legal in Texas. I have 18 months left on my lease. The landlord agreed to let me out of my lease if I paid him $1200, one months lease payment. I was supposed to pay that in March 2007. Since it is now April and I have not paid yet, he is threatening to take me to court. When I moved in mid-March, I had already paid March's rent on the first. He relet the house a week after I left. But he told me if he takes me to court, he is going to demand I pay the full 18 months left on my lease although he agreed to let me out of the lease AND he already has a new tenant. Could I be ordered to pay the full 18 months or is he only entitled to the $1200 or anything at all? I have about 10 emails that he and I sent in which he agrees to accept $1200 and nothing more. He also stated via email, he would not ask for the full amount owed. Do I have a leg to stand on? I want to get him paid, but I've had unexpected moving expenses and offered to begin paying in April but he doesn't want to do that. He thinks he can now go to court and have me pay the full 18 months even with a new tenant. He is also threatening to put a lien on me. Besides contact an attorney this week, what advice can you offer me at this time?

 

[Cvillecpm]

You should have your lease to own contract reviewed by an attorney.

If you are SURE when he re-rented the property, send him the rent for the pro-rated time you owe that you have not already paid in rent and then let him sue you and explain to the judge why he is trying to hold you to a contract which may be illegal.:angel