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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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WATER CODE |
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Title 2. WATER ADMINISTRATION |
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Subtitle B. WATER RIGHTS |
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Chapter 13. WATER RATES AND SERVICES |
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Subchapter M. SUBMETERING AND NONSUBMETERING FOR APARTMENTS AND MANUFACTURED HOME RENTAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHER MULTIPLE USE FACILITIES |
Sec. 13.505. ENFORCEMENT
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In addition to the enforcement provisions contained in Subchapter K of this chapter, if an apartment house owner, condominium manager, manufactured home rental community owner, or other multiple use facility owner violates a rule of the commission regarding submetering of utility service consumed exclusively within the tenant's dwelling unit or multiple use facility unit or nonsubmetered master metered utility costs, the tenant may recover three times the amount of any overcharge, a civil penalty equal to one month's rent, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs from the owner or condominium manager. However, an owner of an apartment house, manufactured home rental community, or other multiple use facility or condominium manager is not liable for a civil penalty if the owner or condominium manager proves the violation was a good faith, unintentional mistake.