Landlords, Tenants Have Rights

More than two weeks after a kitchen fire nearly consumed a Northeast El Paso home, the family renting the house told ABC-7 the landlord could have helped avoid the situation by fixing the stove.

The landlord, however, says there was nothing wrong.

More than $75,000 worth of damage was done to the home. The family didn’t have renter’s insurance.

“I’m always going to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have faith in God,” said John Maldonado.

He said it’s faith that is helping him and his family move forward, but he’s still frustrated about what happened.

Flames sparked at the home on Aphonia Drive on June 23.

Maldonado said he was outside while french fries cooked inside the home. He reportedly didn’t see what happened, but flames quickly spread.

Fire investigators said the blaze was accidental and originated at the kitchen stove.

ABC-7 spoke with the man who takes care of the property for the landlord. He said the insurance company is investigating what happened.

He also explained the house was in good condition and there was nothing wrong with the stove.

“If the conditions impact the health and safety of themselves or their children, that needs to be priority number one,” said attorney Veronica Carbajal.

Whether the stove was to blame, or the chef, Carbajal said under the Texas Property Code, tenants have rights.

She explained renters should document problems brought to their landlord.

If there’s no sign of repair, she said renters “can go to a justice of the peace court or to a county court and file a lawsuit against the landlord for lack of repairs.”