William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC

Rule Statements

A landlord's duty to return a security deposit is governed by Section 92.104 of the Texas Property Code, which requires the deposit to be returned within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises, unless the tenant's lease agreement specifies a shorter period.

Under Section 92.109 of the Texas Property Code, a landlord has a duty to mitigate damages if a tenant abandons the leased premises.

To recover for a landlord's failure to return a security deposit under the DTPA, a tenant must prove that the landlord failed to comply with the notice and itemization requirements of Section 92.104 of the Property Code.

Q: What is William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC about?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC is a case decided by Texas Court of Appeals on April 10, 2026. It involves Forcible entry & detainer.

Q: What court decided William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC was decided by the Texas Court of Appeals, which is part of the TX state court system. This is a state appellate court.

Q: When was William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC decided?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC was decided on April 10, 2026.

Q: What is the citation for William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

The citation for William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC is . Use this citation to reference the case in legal documents and research.

Q: What type of case is William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC is classified as a "Forcible entry & detainer" case. This describes the nature of the legal dispute at issue.

Q: What is the full case name and citation for this dispute?

The case is William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, and it was decided by the Texas Court of Appeals (texapp). The specific citation would typically include the volume and page number where the opinion is published in the official reporter.

Q: Who were the parties involved in the lawsuit?

The plaintiff was William Berry Waters III, who initiated the lawsuit. The defendant was Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, the entity against whom the claims were brought.

Q: What was the primary nature of the dispute between Waters and Oaks at Round Rock?

The dispute centered on a residential lease agreement. William Berry Waters III alleged that Oaks at Round Rock, LLC breached the contract and committed fraud in connection with this lease.

Q: What was the initial outcome of the case at the trial court level?

The trial court granted a motion for summary judgment in favor of the defendant, Oaks at Round Rock, LLC. This means the trial court found no genuine issue of material fact and ruled in favor of the defendant as a matter of law.

Q: What was the final decision of the Texas Court of Appeals in this case?

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision. They agreed that the plaintiff, William Berry Waters III, did not present sufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact and upheld the summary judgment for Oaks at Round Rock, LLC.

Q: Is William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC published?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC is a published, precedential opinion. Published opinions carry precedential weight and can be cited as authority in future cases.

Q: What topics does William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC cover?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC covers the following legal topics: Breach of contract elements, Fraud elements, Summary judgment standard of review, Residential lease agreements, Burden of proof in summary judgment.

Q: What was the ruling in William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

The court ruled in favor of the defendant in William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC. Key holdings: The court held that the plaintiff's breach of contract claim failed because he did not present evidence of a material breach by the defendant.; The court held that the plaintiff's fraud claim failed because he did not present evidence of a false representation made by the defendant with intent to induce reliance.; The court held that the defendant met its burden on summary judgment by presenting evidence that it did not breach the contract and did not commit fraud.; The court held that the plaintiff failed to meet his burden of raising a genuine issue of material fact in response to the defendant's summary judgment motion.; The court held that the lease agreement was clear and unambiguous, and its terms were enforceable..

Q: Why is William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC important?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC has an impact score of 15/100, indicating narrow legal impact. This case reinforces the high bar for plaintiffs to overcome summary judgment in contract and fraud disputes, particularly when the lease agreement is clear. It highlights the importance of presenting specific evidence of each element of a claim to avoid dismissal.

Q: What precedent does William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC set?

William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC established the following key holdings: (1) The court held that the plaintiff's breach of contract claim failed because he did not present evidence of a material breach by the defendant. (2) The court held that the plaintiff's fraud claim failed because he did not present evidence of a false representation made by the defendant with intent to induce reliance. (3) The court held that the defendant met its burden on summary judgment by presenting evidence that it did not breach the contract and did not commit fraud. (4) The court held that the plaintiff failed to meet his burden of raising a genuine issue of material fact in response to the defendant's summary judgment motion. (5) The court held that the lease agreement was clear and unambiguous, and its terms were enforceable.

Q: What are the key holdings in William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

1. The court held that the plaintiff's breach of contract claim failed because he did not present evidence of a material breach by the defendant. 2. The court held that the plaintiff's fraud claim failed because he did not present evidence of a false representation made by the defendant with intent to induce reliance. 3. The court held that the defendant met its burden on summary judgment by presenting evidence that it did not breach the contract and did not commit fraud. 4. The court held that the plaintiff failed to meet his burden of raising a genuine issue of material fact in response to the defendant's summary judgment motion. 5. The court held that the lease agreement was clear and unambiguous, and its terms were enforceable.

Q: What cases are related to William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

Precedent cases cited or related to William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC: Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a; City of Houston v. Williams, 353 S.W.3d 128, 134 (Tex. 2011).

Q: What legal standard did the appellate court apply when reviewing the summary judgment?

The appellate court applied the standard for reviewing a summary judgment, which requires determining whether the defendant, Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, proved as a matter of law that there were no genuine issues of material fact and that it was entitled to judgment. The court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, William Berry Waters III.

Q: What did the plaintiff, William Berry Waters III, need to show to defeat the summary judgment motion?

To defeat the summary judgment motion, William Berry Waters III needed to raise a genuine issue of material fact on each element of his claims for breach of contract and fraud. This means he had to present evidence that, if believed, would allow a jury to find in his favor on those claims.

Q: What did the defendant, Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, need to demonstrate to win its summary judgment motion?

Oaks at Round Rock, LLC needed to demonstrate that no genuine issue of material fact existed and that it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. This typically involves presenting evidence negating an essential element of the plaintiff's claims or establishing an affirmative defense.

Q: What were the specific claims brought by William Berry Waters III against Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

William Berry Waters III brought claims for breach of contract and fraud. These claims arose from a residential lease agreement between the parties.

Q: Did the appellate court find that the plaintiff presented sufficient evidence of fraud?

No, the appellate court found that William Berry Waters III failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding his fraud claim. The defendant, Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, presented sufficient evidence to support its motion, and the plaintiff did not counter it effectively.

Q: What does it mean for a party to 'raise a genuine issue of material fact'?

Raising a genuine issue of material fact means presenting evidence that creates a real dispute about a fact that is important to the outcome of the case. If such an issue exists, the case cannot be decided by summary judgment and must proceed to trial.

Q: What is the purpose of a summary judgment motion?

A summary judgment motion is a procedural tool used to resolve a lawsuit, or parts of it, without a full trial. It is granted when the moving party demonstrates that there are no genuine disputes over material facts and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Q: How does William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC affect me?

This case reinforces the high bar for plaintiffs to overcome summary judgment in contract and fraud disputes, particularly when the lease agreement is clear. It highlights the importance of presenting specific evidence of each element of a claim to avoid dismissal. As a decision from a state appellate court, its reach is limited to the state jurisdiction. This case is moderate in legal complexity to understand.

Q: How does this ruling impact tenants and landlords in Texas?

This ruling reinforces the importance for tenants to present concrete evidence of contract breaches or fraud when challenging a landlord's actions, especially in the context of summary judgment. Landlords, like Oaks at Round Rock, LLC, can succeed if they can demonstrate the absence of factual disputes supporting the tenant's claims.

Q: What should a tenant do if they believe their landlord has breached a lease agreement?

A tenant should gather all relevant documentation, including the lease agreement, correspondence, and any evidence of the alleged breach. They should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the specific evidence needed to support their claims, particularly if facing a summary judgment motion.

Q: What are the implications for property management companies like Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

Property management companies must ensure their lease agreements are clear and that their practices comply with contract terms and fraud laws. They should be prepared to present evidence demonstrating compliance or the lack of factual disputes if a tenant files a lawsuit.

Q: What is the significance of the 'residential lease agreement' in this case?

The residential lease agreement is the central document forming the basis of the dispute. The alleged breach of contract and fraud claims by William Berry Waters III stemmed directly from the terms and execution of this agreement with Oaks at Round Rock, LLC.

Q: Could this case have been decided differently if the plaintiff had provided different evidence?

Yes, if William Berry Waters III had presented specific, credible evidence that created a genuine dispute over material facts related to the breach of contract or fraud claims, the appellate court might have reversed the summary judgment and allowed the case to proceed to trial.

Q: How does this case relate to previous Texas law on summary judgments in landlord-tenant disputes?

This case applies established Texas procedural rules regarding summary judgment. It reiterates that a plaintiff cannot simply make allegations; they must produce evidence to support their claims when faced with a summary judgment motion, consistent with prior Texas jurisprudence on the matter.

Q: Are there any landmark Texas Supreme Court cases that set the precedent for summary judgment standards applied here?

The standard for summary judgment in Texas is largely set by Texas Supreme Court precedent, such as *Nixon v. Mr. Property Management Co.* and *City of Houston v. Kilgore*. This appellate court's decision would have followed those established principles.

Q: Does this ruling establish a new legal test for breach of contract or fraud in Texas residential leases?

No, this ruling does not establish a new legal test. Instead, it applies existing legal standards for breach of contract and fraud to the facts presented, focusing on whether the plaintiff met the burden of proof required to survive a summary judgment motion.

Q: What was the docket number in William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC?

The docket number for William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC is 03-24-00721-CV. This identifier is used to track the case through the court system.

Q: Can William Berry Waters III v. Oaks at Round Rock, LLC be appealed?

Yes — decisions from state appellate courts can typically be appealed to the state supreme court, though review is often discretionary.

Q: How did this case reach the Texas Court of Appeals?

The case reached the Texas Court of Appeals because William Berry Waters III appealed the trial court's decision to grant summary judgment in favor of Oaks at Round Rock, LLC. The appeal challenged the legal and factual basis for the trial court's ruling.

Q: What is the role of the appellate court in reviewing a summary judgment?

The appellate court's role is to review the trial court's decision for errors of law. In a summary judgment appeal, they examine the record to determine if the trial court correctly concluded that no genuine issue of material fact existed and that the prevailing party was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Q: What would have happened if the appellate court had reversed the summary judgment?

If the appellate court had reversed the summary judgment, the case would have been sent back to the trial court. It would then likely proceed to trial, where a judge or jury would hear the evidence and make a final determination on the breach of contract and fraud claims.

Q: What specific procedural step did Oaks at Round Rock, LLC take to win at the trial court?

Oaks at Round Rock, LLC filed a motion for summary judgment. This motion argued that, based on the evidence presented, there were no material facts in dispute and that they were legally entitled to win the case without a trial.