The Common Law

Can a landlord hold a tenant's personal property?

"...It depends. Texas law recognizes a residential "Landlord's Lien," which gives a landlord of a single- or multifamily..."

Aug. 20, 2004 Column by Luke Ellis

The Theft of Wages Is Sin: Fighting for Migrant Workers

Advocates for migrant workers and local law enforcement team up to get deadbeat employers to pay up.

"...legal clinic focused on resolving wage claim issues, says Julien Ross, a grad student at UT's LBJ School of..."

Dec. 27, 2002 News Feature by Lauri Apple

The Common Law

My Credit Card Company Is Suing Me: What Can Really Happen?

"...rules against you without a trial. While certain exempt property can be out of reach, such as a primary..."

May 23, 2008 Column by Pat Fitzgerald

Work Stops on Ghost Town

Meadows Housing Project Shuts Down

"...Force Base sit abandoned, in various stages of disrepair. Liens and lawsuits rather than nails and sheetrock are the..."

June 21, 1996 News Feature by Robert Bryce

What Price Labor?

Business as Usual

"...the IWW and the Texas AFL-CIO filed a wage lien against VCI on behalf of the 20 workers. Since..."

Nov. 27, 1998 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

Perry's Vexing Vetoes

Perry kills 24 more bills

"...She lost two bills, including a measure on tax lien law sponsored in the House by her fellow Democrat,..."

June 21, 2013 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: Bad Loan

Las Manitas wins even without city loan

"...that the loan's terms, especially the city's proposed 20-year lien on the property, were too restrictive – the prospect..."

Aug. 24, 2007 News Column by Michael King

The City Forced Their Church's Expensive Demolition

Now the appraisal district wants $100,000

"...After several months, Sneed got word that a property at 6605 E. Riverside was available and jumped. He..."

Feb. 24, 2023 News Feature by Abe Asher

Workers Fight Unpaid Holiday (Inn)

Construction workers stiffed on pay – and wait for restitution

"...San Antonio-based subcontractor, Mely's Construction. WDP filed a mechanic's lien against the property on the workers' behalf and has..."

Aug. 12, 2011 News Feature by Michael King

The Common Law

Real estate and title issues

"...Because Texas is a community property state, each spouse must join in a sale of..."

May 18, 2007 Column by Andrea Lowry

The Common Law

City code compliance and backyard inspections

"...I own an investment property that's unrented at the moment. My neighbor has complained..."

Aug. 5, 2022 Column by Luke Ellis

The Common Law

Homeowners' Associations – What Gives Them the Right?

"...Property owners' associations, often referred to as homeowners' associations ("HOAs"),..."

Sept. 19, 2008 Column by Luke Ellis

State Constitutional Amendments A voters' guide and recap of Chronicle endorsements

"...#2: Exempting from ad valorem taxation the property of an organization used primarily for charitable or public..."

Nov. 3, 1995 News Feature

State Constitutional Amendment Election

"...the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation the property of an organization that was chartered by the Republic..."

Oct. 27, 1995 News Feature

The Common Law

Can my bicycle be towed?

"...if it's attached or secured to public or private property in a manner that may damage, impair, or render..."

March 7, 2008 Column by Luke Ellis

Perry's Veto Axe Comes Down

Democrats and Republicans of all stripes and experience hit

"...so that, if an taxing entity attaches a tax lien, it could be enforced on property in all jurisdictions,..."

June 17, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

The Common Law

Relative dies with a will – what next?

"...however, it is wise to consider transferring your relative's property to those who are entitled to it in a..."

Feb. 4, 2022 Column by Joe Marrs

About That History? It's Gone.

Developers destroy a little bit more of Eastside history

"...groups saw stirrings of new activity on the long-fallow property now being developed by Endeavor Real Estate Group, they..."

May 4, 2012 News Feature by Cindy Widner

The Common Law

A relative passed away recently and the duty has fallen to me to wind up her affairs. She left a will. Where do I start? Can I do this without a lawyer?

"...however, it is wise to consider transferring your relative's property to those who are entitled to it in a..."

April 30, 2004 Column by Joe Marrs

The Common Law

Personal Finances – Should I consider personal bankruptcy?

"...a debtor to keep more of his or her property than Chapter 7. Upon the successful conclusion of the..."

Jan. 30, 2004 Column by Marvin Sprouse

Clash of La Clica

"...got it where you can't do anything with your property. I agree that you've got to control water pollution..."

Feb. 13, 1998 News Feature by James Garcia

Behold a Pale Horse: the White Horse Turns Ten with No Signs of an Apocalypse

A look back at the early days of the “black sheep” of Austin honky-tonks

"...but without a dime to their name, or any property to lien against, they knew that it would come..."

Dec. 10, 2021 Music Post by Gary Lindsey

A Structural Problem

Family fights eviction from Georgian Acres apartment

"...landlord to legally take a tenant's belongings as a lien on unpaid rent, but that there's a very specific..."

April 15, 2016 News Feature by Amy Kamp

The Common Law

Child Support – Trouble Getting Paid?

"...The AG's Child Support Division can also file a lien against the nonpaying parent's property or a lawsuit that..."

Dec. 5, 2008 Column by Luke Ellis

Another Dream Deferred on East 11th

Popular Eastside restaurant closes doors, raising questions about the ARA's purpose

"...Ms. B's, which has a small but loyal lunch clientele, might stay open. Brenda McGowan said she and her..."

Nov. 7, 2008 News Feature by Kimberly Reeves

The Common Law

Child support – putting pressure on deadbeat parents to pay child support

"...The AG's Child Support Division can also file a lien against the nonpaying parent's property or can file a..."

Oct. 21, 2005 Column by Luke Ellis

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...suggest alcohol was involved. Skilling's lawyer told reporters his client had actually been mugged, a story police dispute...."

April 16, 2004 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Home, Sweet Home

(Or Slum, Slum, Slum?)

"...that employees of Johnson's companies, Consolidated Telephone Service and Client Services, were posing as representatives from the Federal Communications..."

Feb. 16, 1996 News Feature by Robert Bryce