Some of our clients from other states ask us, “is it hard to evict a non-paying tenant?”, or regale us with nightmare stories of their previous rental ownership experience from deadbeat tenants, to skillful folks that have learned how to take advantage of an overly lenient “tenant rights” public policy that allows cheats to avoid paying rent for months at a time. Though we of course respect all rights, land and property owners deserve protections against people that would abuse the system, and as property owners ourselves, we’ve found Texas to be very supportive in this regard.

Texas has a long history of “hands off”, bootstrap business. We’re so serious about this, that it is written in our state constitution that the legislature meets only once every two years. Sorry hardcore Conservatives, but in hindsight, George Bush Jr’s inexperience and mistakes as President probably could have been avoided had we all realized that being Governor of Texas is such a ceremonial post, that there’s no real test of a politician’s meddle. For what it’s worth, Austin’s Travis County voted more democratic in the 2004 election per capita than Los Angeles County.

Tort reform and ridiculous lawsuits are another hot issue in Texas. Texas was one of the first states to endorse caps on medical malpractice lawsuits; thereby creating a net reduction in Doctor insurance premiums of 300% or more. Culturally, there are less societal and racial divisions creating adversarial tensions, and a more cohesive community type of business community exists in which each member understands it’s their obligation to pull their own weight. No one is going to get rich off of a lucky lawsuit. Judges and juries don’t suffer “get rich quick scheme” plaintiffs.

Spill your coffee on your lap in Texas and expect to sue for millions? Forget it – next time wear thicker clothes.