[TX] [TX] Can I sue for a wrongful towing and eviction in Texas?

I need to talk to a lawyer.

Landlord / tow court.

By August 7.

Yes.

Yes. May I call or submit a voice message? Or do I have to chat it up?

Hi, I’m located in Texas and need legal advice regarding a towing incident and what I believe is retaliatory behavior from my apartment complex.

On July 28, 2025, my car was towed from my assigned parking spot (#A7). I initially believed it had been stolen and reported it missing. The vehicle was gone for almost two full days. During that time, my wife and I both missed work, and I lost access to my IDs, which were in the car. Between lost wages, missed work, and towing/storage fees, we estimate we lost over $1,000. They claim the vehicle was towed because I didn’t have a parking sticker. However, when I bought the vehicle, I notified the office the same day, and they gave me a temporary sticker, which I placed on the dashboard. It likely fell due to heat, but the vehicle was still parked in my assigned spot, and the towing seems predatory. Management claimed someone “called it in,” but I suspect a tow truck driver was just snooping around.

I’m willing to provide a copy of my 2025 lease agreement, which includes no clause (Sections 5 or 13) requiring a sticker or permitting towing for lack of one. Management tried to use a 2024 agreement against me, saying I signed something that allowed towing without a sticker — but that’s not part of the 2025 lease, which they also tried to enforce for other matters, including an eviction threat.

After the towing, I worked hard to make up the financial damage and was only four days late on rent. Despite that, they served me an eviction notice, which I believe was retaliatory. My attorney even stated this was highly irregular for a first late payment. Furthermore, the notice was backdated — they claimed it was served on August 4, but I have security camera footage proving I was in and out of the apartment that day and never received anything. I only found out two and a half days later, which gave me little time to respond. That raises serious questions about the notice’s validity.

I’ve since paid the rent and late fee in full, and no eviction has been filed in JP Court as of now. However, I don’t want to continue living here. I want to terminate my lease at the beginning of September without penalty, with August rent and late fees considered final payment.

I plan to sue both the towing company and the apartment complex for financial damages, emotional distress, and breach of lease terms, and I’m requesting full reimbursement for the towing incident. Could you please advise me on how to move forward and whether I have strong legal standing under Texas law?

Thank you.

Yes, I have an email dated May 20, 2025.

Yes, here’s the full thread:

(Customer) – 20 May 2025:
Hey Amanda, hope all is well! We just got a new (to us) car, and I wanted to inform you so it wouldn’t get towed. It’s a grey 2018 Toyota RAV4 on dealer tags.

Let me know what steps I need to take to get a sticker.
We’ll also have the blue car for a little while longer until it sells. Thanks!

— Tenant, Apt. 167

Amanda (Management) – 21 May 2025:
Hi Bryan,

I would recommend not parking the new car in your assigned covered parking spot until you get the parking pass — you would be at risk of being towed.

You can park it in any of the uncovered spaces and you won’t have any issues. When you get a chance, stop by the office and we’ll be happy to get you a pass.

Congrats on the new car!

— Amanda

Tenant (Customer) – 21 May 2025:
Awesome, thanks Amanda! I’ll make sure to stop by.

— Tenant, Apt. 167

Yes, here’s what I sent later:

Tenant – 27 July 2025 (2:45 PM)
Subject: Immediate Return of Vehicle – Police Report #1

Dear Amanda,

As of today, July 27, 2025, I am formally notifying you that my vehicle was removed from my assigned parking space (A7) without warning or authorization, and I have not been notified by the towing company or the apartment office regarding its removal.

I have filed a police report for this incident — Report #: 1 — as my vehicle is currently missing, and no proper notice was given. The removal of my vehicle violates both Texas Property Code and the terms of our lease, as the car was parked in my assigned spot with proper registration.

The vehicle is our only reliable transportation and contains vital personal property, including IDs and base access cards. This action is directly impacting my family financially, as we will now miss work due to this unlawful removal.

I am requesting:

1. Immediate release of my vehicle with no cost to me.

2. A written explanation of who authorized the removal and under what grounds.

3. Any documentation you have on this incident (warnings, photos, or complaints).

I expect this matter to be resolved without delay or cost to me.

Sincerely,
Tenant

They replied on July 28:

“After reviewing the pictures, there was no parking permit on the vehicle. Attached you’ll find a copy of the towing addendum we went over and signed at move-in.”

But they attached a 2024 agreement, not the 2025 lease — the one they’re enforcing for everything else.

But my car was legally parked — so it was illegally towed. I had the keys in my hand; it was in “Park.” They must’ve dragged it out.

What’s the max I can realistically sue for? And I don’t want to live here anyway.

Yes. I’m a veteran, a good tenant, never been late, married, two incomes, two cars, going to school.

I’m done.