Texas Tenant Advisor

• Home
  • Rights
    • Application deposit
    • Discrimination
    • Eviction
      • - Process
      • - Defenses
      • - Options
      • - Appeal
      • --Statutes
      • ---Forms
    • House rules
    • Landlord took property
    • Late fees
    • Lease
    • Locked out
    • Locks and security
    • Mobile homes
    • Privacy
    • Rent
    • Repairs
    • Retaliation
    • Roommates
    • Security deposit
    • Smoke detectors
    • Subleasing
    • Termination
    • Utilities
    • Who owns the property
  • Fight back
  • Prevention

The Texas Tenant Advisor is intended to provide general information regarding Texas residential tenancies only.

Unique facts can render some statements inapplicable to a given situation.

We attempt to provide current information; nonetheless, you are urged to consult an attorney for legal advice and assistance.

Defendant's Original Answer

This form is ready to be used in justice court (Justice of the Peace, or "JP" court), but it can also be used in county court if you appealed the case. You will need to download it, print it and fill it out (instructions on filing it out are below). The form is ready to be downloaded in the following formats:

Defendant's Answer (PDF)*

* PDF stands for Portable Document Format in case you cared. It is more dependable to download documents using this format, so use this method especially if the others do not work. Most computers have a PDF reader already installed. If yours does not, or it is not working, download and install the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Once the form is printed you will need to fill in these blanks in the form:

1 The first blank at the top of the form is the Case Number. This number is on the documents you were served with by the constable or sheriff from the court.

2 On the right side at the top is the court information. Put the County of suit in the blank and put which Precinct and Place of the justice court where the suit was filed (e.g., Precinct 1, Place 2, Dallas County, Texas). This information is also on the documents you were served with by the constable or sheriff from the court.

3 Since the landlord filed the suit, it is the Plaintiff. Put your name in the blank for Defendant.

4 Then sign your name at the bottom. Print your name, complete address and phone number below your signature.

5 You are required to send a copy of the answer to the landlord. In the Certificate of Service indicate which method you are going to use to give the landlord a copy of the answer, place the date you sent it, and then sign your name at the bottom of the certificate of service.

Finally, read over the form and make sure it has been filled out completely. Then make two copies of the signed form and take them, with the original to the justice court for filing. The court will keep the original, and give you back one copy to serve on the landlord and one for your records. For more information on proceeding with the case, see Eviction Process, and Representing Yourself.