'All they care about is the money': Grieving Texas family says it was billed over $15,000 for breaking deceased mom's lease

Bonilla’s sons thought it would be straightforward to cancel her lease — but, sadly, that doesn’t seem to have been the case.

Shortly after her death, the family says it received a bill and a collection notice from the apartment complex for a number of charges — including $14,368 for “accelerated rent” and a $1,117 lease break fee. The bill was shared with News 4 San Antonio.

“They're attacking, coming after the next of kin, who, quite honestly, we loved our mom and we're still grieving,” Bonilla’s son, David Naterman, told the local broadcaster in a story that aired Aug. 21. “All they care about is the money.”

In a swift turn of events, the family says it received a letter the day after the news report, canceling the exorbitant charges.

“They said it was a mistake,” Naterman told The Associated Press. “It was a mistake because it was put on air.”

How did things get this far, and what does the law have to say about the lease of a deceased tenant? Here’s a breakdown.

A bewildering bill

After Bonilla died, her sons told News 4 they went to her apartment complex and spoke with the leasing manager about breaking her contract early. They wanted to end the lease approximately 11 months before its official expiration next year.

Naterman claims the leasing manager said the apartment complex would terminate the lease and “use the security deposit” to clean the apartment and turn it over for a new tenant.

Later, the family was shocked to receive a bill for a total of $15,772.58, which was broken down as follows:

• Accelerated rent (lease completion): $14,368.48
• Cleaning: $112
• Relet/lease break fee: $1,117.06
• Touch-up paint: $75
• Trash out: $100

The notice also stated Bonilla’s reason for moving out of the complex as “deceased.”

“They want the rest of about a year-long worth of rent from a dead person,” Naterman had said in disbelief.

Refusing to pay, Bonilla’s family says it received a collection letter in which the apartment complex threatened to report the debt to a credit bureau or file legal action — a “stressful” ultimatum, per Naterman, for a family still in mourning.

What does Texas law say?

Section 92.0162 of the Texas Property Code explains the right to vacate and avoid liability following a tenant’s death.

The code states that representatives of the estate of a deceased tenant can “terminate the tenant’s rights and obligations under the lease” and “avoid liability for future rent and any other sums due” for breaking the lease early, if certain conditions are met.