This is how City of Richardson Prosecutes Landlords
Landlord schedules an inspection with a city inspector.
The inspector goes to the rental.
The tenant refuses an inspection, as the city ordinance permits inspection only "with the occupant's permission."
The city cites the landlord for "failure to make the property available for inspection."
Then the city issues an administrative warrant.
City inspectors arrive with police with a warrant giving them authority to force entry.
However, instead of enforcing the warrant, the city cites the landlord again.
Two landlords were tried by a jury.
The judge only allowed evidence (part of the ordinance) that would lead to conviction.
See the trial transcript here.
All the attorneys we spoke with say that the way the city is implementing the ordinance is NOT LAWFUL.
The inspector goes to the rental.
The tenant refuses an inspection, as the city ordinance permits inspection only "with the occupant's permission."
The city cites the landlord for "failure to make the property available for inspection."
Then the city issues an administrative warrant.
City inspectors arrive with police with a warrant giving them authority to force entry.
However, instead of enforcing the warrant, the city cites the landlord again.
Two landlords were tried by a jury.
The judge only allowed evidence (part of the ordinance) that would lead to conviction.
See the trial transcript here.
All the attorneys we spoke with say that the way the city is implementing the ordinance is NOT LAWFUL.
