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Update:
The apartment complex that billed a dead woman's family for almost a year of rent is backing down. The family of the late 91-year-old Sandra Bonilla says they have received a letter from the Lodge at Shavano Park. The letter contains an apology for billing Bonilla about 15-thousand dollars for breaking her lease when she died in late June. The letter also states that the bill was "an unfortunate clerical error that led to incorrect charges," and that any real charges were removed as a courtesy. The family had sent the apartment management a termination of lease letter as the law requires, leaving the estate only liable for up to a month of costs.
Previous Story:
The family of a San Antonio woman who died this summer is in a unique legal challenge with her former apartment complex. Sandra Bonilla died in late June at age 91. Her family says they sent a termination of lease letter to the complex management as the law requires. The family says in return they received a bill for more than $15,000. The apartment complex says the woman who died had close to a year left on the lease. The bill assesses charges that include an $1,100 "lease break fee." Lawyers say Texas law prohibits landlords from charging more than 30-days rent when a death notice is received.