Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Is it legal for a landlord to threaten eviction after I reported harassment by another tenant?
In Washington, a landlord generally should not use eviction threats as punishment for a tenant’s good-faith complaint about harassment or other habitability problems. In many situations, a threat to evict after a tenant...
Can my landlord make me pay for professional carpet cleaning if the lease only says “clean”?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the exact lease language, the condition of the carpet when you move out, and any other written move-out rules or addenda that are part of the lease. If the lease only says you...
Can I Break My Lease Because the Elevator Has Been Broken for Weeks?
In Maryland, a broken elevator may be a serious housing problem, but it does not automatically let a tenant break a lease. In general, the legal question is whether the problem is severe enough to make the rental unit or...
Can a Neighbor Legally Trim Branches From My Tree?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor may usually trim branches or roots that cross onto their property, but only up to the property line and generally at their own expense. In other words, a neighbor typically does not have the...
How do I take a pet boarding facility to court if my pet was injured in their care?
If your pet was injured while being boarded, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the facility, depending on the facts and the evidence. In Wyoming, as in many states, the legal theory might involve negligence,...
Can an HOA tow my car from my driveway because the registration sticker is expired?
In Florida, an HOA may sometimes be able to have a car towed from a driveway if the vehicle is violating the community’s recorded rules, parking restrictions, or property-use requirements. An expired registration sticker...
Is it legal for a store employee to say I cannot take photos of the hazard after I fell?
In general, a store employee may tell you not to take photos, but that does not always mean you have no right to document the scene. In South Dakota, the answer can depend on where you are standing, who owns or controls...
Can My Landlord Require Professional Cleaning Even If the Lease Doesn’t Say So?
In general, a landlord may expect a rental unit to be returned in a reasonably clean condition, but that does not always mean the landlord can require professional cleaning if the lease does not say so. In Minnesota, the...
Can I be charged if I broke my own property while it was in someone else’s apartment?
In Minnesota, you generally cannot be charged just for breaking your own property. But the fact that the item belonged to you does not always end the legal question. If the property was in someone else’s apartment, polic...
Is it legal for my landlord to send an eviction notice by text message only?
In Florida, a landlord’s text message may be a warning or a communication about a rental problem, but it is not always the same thing as a legally effective eviction notice. Whether a text message-only notice is valid us...
Do I have to pay for a repair if the issue came back within a week?
In general, whether you have to pay for a repair that failed again within a week depends on the repair agreement, what was promised, and what caused the problem to return. In Missouri, the first question is usually wheth...
What happens if my landlord refuses to give me a copy of my signed lease?
If your landlord refuses to give you a copy of your signed lease, that can be frustrating and may make it harder to confirm the exact rental terms. In general, a lease is still a contract even if one party is holding the...
What are my rights if my landlord is charging $250 for cleaning even though I left the apartment spotless?
If you are in Idaho and your landlord is charging a $250 cleaning fee after move-out, your rights usually depend on your lease, the condition of the apartment, and whether the landlord is taking the charge from a securit...
Can I file an antiharassment protection order in Washington if my neighbor keeps yelling threats at me from the driveway?
In Washington, a person may be able to ask for an antiharassment protection order if another person engages in a course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses them and that conduct serves no legitimate or...
Is it legal for a repair shop to charge storage fees without telling me upfront?
In general, a repair shop may be able to charge storage fees, but whether it can do so without telling you upfront often depends on the facts, the repair agreement, local business practices, and Alaska law. A shop’s abil...