Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
My landlord wants me to pay rent by Zelle only. I’m uncomfortable. Can I insist on another method?
In California, a landlord may sometimes prefer one payment method over another, but whether a tenant can insist on a different way to pay rent often depends on the lease, the landlord’s policies, and the surrounding fact...
My Car Was Repossessed With My Personal Belongings Inside — How Do I Get Them Back?
If your car was repossessed in Georgia and your personal belongings were still inside, the lender or repossession company usually must allow you a reasonable opportunity to recover non-car items. In general, a repossessi...
A repair shop wiped my laptop during a battery replacement. Can I claim lost files?
If a repair shop wiped your laptop during a battery replacement, you may have a possible claim for the lost files and any related losses, but the outcome usually depends on the facts. In Washington, the most important is...
What happens if a homeowner’s insurance company denies my claim after I fell on a broken porch step?
If a homeowner’s insurance company denies your claim after you fell on a broken porch step, that usually means the insurer is not agreeing to pay under the policy at that time. The denial may be based on the insurer’s vi...
Can I Get My Money Back If a Vacation Rental Was Nothing Like the Listing?
Yes, you may be able to get some or all of your money back if a vacation rental was materially different from the listing, but the answer depends on the facts, the booking terms, and what proof you have. In general, a re...
Is it legal for a tenant to record a private meeting with property management without consent?
In Pennsylvania, whether a tenant may legally record a private meeting with property management without consent usually depends on the facts, especially where the meeting happens and whether the conversation is considere...
Do I have to pay for services that were performed incorrectly and caused more damage?
In California, the answer is often “it depends.” If a service provider performed work incorrectly and caused additional damage, you may have arguments that you should not have to pay the full amount, or that you may be e...
What are my rights if my landlord shuts off utilities to force me to move out?
If you are in Maryland and your landlord shuts off utilities to pressure you to leave, that is often a serious tenancy problem. In general, a landlord is not supposed to use self-help methods to force a tenant out, and t...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...
What happens if my loan servicer counted my qualifying payments wrong after the account transfer?
If a loan servicer counted your qualifying payments wrong after an account transfer, the main issue is usually that your account history may need to be reviewed and corrected. In general, a transfer does not erase prior...
A contractor used my driveway to access another job and cracked it. Who pays?
In California, the contractor who caused the damage may be responsible for repairing or paying for the damage, depending on the facts. If the driveway was cracked because the contractor or the contractor’s equipment used...
What are my rights if a storage unit company auctioned my belongings even though I paid online the day before?
If a storage unit company auctioned your belongings after you paid online the day before, the first question is whether the payment was actually received, posted, and credited before the auction took place. In general, a...
What are my rights if my child was injured at daycare because staff were not watching?
If a child is injured at daycare because staff were not watching, the parents or guardians may have several possible legal and practical rights, depending on what happened and what Alabama law applies. In general, a dayc...
Do I have to pay for repairs if an appliance breaks due to age?
In general, the answer depends on who owns the appliance, what your lease or purchase agreement says, and what caused the problem. In Indiana, if you own the appliance yourself, you usually pay for repair or replacement...
How do I get my $1,200 deposit back from a contractor who never started the job?
If a contractor took a $1,200 deposit and never started the job, you may be able to ask for the money back through a demand letter, direct negotiation, a payment dispute, or a small-claims type court process, depending o...