@James Johnson, The Statute provided by @Chris Martin may provide a way for you to lawfully avoid paying the further rent. (Thank you Chris. That was helpful) Instead of handing over further rent payments, you could give your landlord a written request along these lines. It makes no difference that you do not have a written rental agreement.
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This is a request for you to provide disclosure of the owner and management of this property -123X Any Street, Your Town, Texas ZipCode.
This disclosure request is made pursuant to Texas Code Title 8, "Property Code"; Chapter 92, "Landlord Tenant"; Subchapter E "Disclosure of Owner & Management"; Section 201 (a) (1) & (a) (2) & subsection (b) The cited sections of the property code state in pertinent part;
Section 92.201. DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.
(a) " A landlord shall disclose to a tenant, ... according to this subchapter:
(1) the name and either a street or post office box address of the holder of record title, according to the deed records in the county clerk's office, of the dwelling rented by the tenant; and
(2) if an entity located off-site from the dwelling is primarily responsible for managing the dwelling, the (legal) name and the street address of the management company (or person)..." (and a current contact phone#)
(b) Disclosure to a tenant under Subsection (a) must be made by: ... giving the information in writing to the tenant ... on or before the seventh day after the day the landlord receives the tenant's request for the information;
See also Section 92.202.
LANDLORD'S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION. (a) A landlord is liable to a tenant ... according to this subchapter if:
(1) after the tenant ... makes a request for information under Section, the landlord does not provide the information; and
(2) the landlord does not give the information to the tenant ... before the eighth day after the date the tenant, ... gives the landlord written notice that the tenant, ... may exercise remedies under this subchapter if the landlord does not comply with the request by the tenant, for the information within seven days.
See also Section 92.204
92.204. BAD FAITH VIOLATION. A landlord acts in bad faith and is liable according to this subchapter if the landlord gives an incorrect name or address under Subsection (a) of Section 92.201 by wilfully:
(1) disclosing incorrect information under Section 92.201(b)(1) or (2)
Finally, please note that the Texas Property Code provides these remedies.
Section 92.205. REMEDIES. (a) A tenant of a landlord who is liable under Section 92.202, 92.203, or 92.204 may obtain ... the following remedies:
(3) a judgment against the landlord for one month's rent plus $100; and
(4) a judgment against the landlord for court costs and attorney's fees;
Thank you for your prompt response. Signed James the tenant Date: Day/Month/2019
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If the landlord is not acting properly, such an official request is likely to cause him to move on. If the landlord does not provide both the owner's name and address and his own name and address as the manager or a different manager's name and address; then on the eighth day after you hand him your request you can file a claim against him in small claims court (you'll need the landlord's address to serve him a copy).
At court ask the judge to award you the amount of your rent + $100 for each month that the landlord fails to provide the information and your costs (likely around $50 -sorry no Attorney's fees in small claims court). Then if the guy did attempt an eviction (unlikely but possible), you could show that your rent is already paid by the judgement you received in small claims court.
Final note. The reason I mentioned recording all conversations with your landlord, is so that there is a record of any threat he may make to you or your family. Any kind of threat, other than to evict you in court, is grounds for getting a restraining order against him. A restraining order won't protect your family, but it can be helpful in multiple ways. Primarily a restraining order would makes it easier to get the landlord arrested. It contributes to a showing that he is not dealing fairly with you.
