Texas Apartment Manager Says My Lease Transfer Isn’t Valid Because New Tenants Never Picked Up Their Keys — But The Contract And Her Own Emails Say Otherwise. What Are My Rights?
Hi everyone — I’m in Austin, TX and need advice about a lease-transfer dispute.
I signed a Texas Apartment Association (TAA) Lease Change / Transfer Addendum to remove myself from a lease. It was fully signed by me, the two new tenants, and management. I moved out completely, turned in keys, and got an email confirming I’d been “moved out.”
A few days later the new tenants backed out. The manager originally emailed me:
“The lease change form is signed by both of them as well as you and it does say that it is a legally binding document — it is not your responsibility anymore.”
Now (a week later) she’s saying the transfer wasn’t effective because they “never picked up keys,” and that a box on Paragraph 3 (“old resident ☐ is / ☐ is not released from further liability”) wasn’t checked — calling it a “clerical error.” She’s offering to “end my lease early” with a 30-day notice and an 85% reletting fee.
But Section 12 (“Effective Date”) just says it’s effective once all parties sign, deposits are paid, and the owner approves — no mention of key pickup.
Questions:
- Does an unchecked box really undo a signed release?
- Can they legally put me back on the lease after confirming I was released in writing?
- Should I contact a tenant-rights or contract attorney now?
Location: Austin, TX
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