Landlord/Tenant. What's Legal

[Cheryl Kollner]

Help, I'm new to the landord/rental arena. I purchased a duplex in Texas in 2007. The previous owner is now one my tenants. I've started the legal eviction process for non payment. Yesterday I received an invoice from him for rental of a refrigerator for 81 weeks that he left in the other side of the duplex when I purchase it. Since 2007 nothing was ever mentioned about it until now. He is now acting like we had some type of agreement, which is absurd. It was an old refrigerator that broke down and I've replaced. I'm sure he's just trying to offset the money he owes me. I go to court next week. Any suggestions on how to approach this?