Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Do I have to pay rent while my ceiling is leaking and the landlord has ignored three written requests?
In Oregon, a leaking ceiling can be a serious habitability problem, but it usually does not automatically erase the duty to pay rent. In general, tenants are still expected to keep paying rent unless a legally recognized...
Is it legal for an apartment lease to say the landlord is not responsible for any repairs?
In Ohio, a lease may try to shift repair responsibility to the tenant, but a clause that says the landlord is not responsible for any repairs is not necessarily the end of the story. In general, lease language has to be...
What Should I Do if I Identified the Neighbor Who Stole My Package?
If you identified a neighbor who may have stolen your package, the safest first step is usually to avoid confronting the person directly. A heated confrontation can escalate the situation, create safety concerns, or make...
Can I File a Police Report if My Neighbor Is Wearing My Stolen Sweater?
Yes, you usually can file a police report if you reasonably believe your sweater was stolen and you have information suggesting your neighbor may be in possession of it. In Texas, a police report is generally a way to re...
What happens if my spouse bought a car during the marriage but titled it only in their name?
In Louisiana, a car bought during a marriage may still be treated as part of the marital property picture even if the title lists only one spouse’s name. Title alone does not always control ownership questions, especiall...
What happens if multiple people were hurt by the same dangerous condition at a store?
If multiple people were hurt by the same dangerous condition at a store, that usually means there may be more than one potential injury claim arising from the same incident. In general, each injured person’s claim is sti...
What are my rights if my landlord gave me a 7-day notice for damage I did not cause?
If you are in Kansas and your landlord gives you a 7-day notice demanding payment or saying you are responsible for damage you did not cause, the most important point is that a notice is not the same thing as proof. In g...
Can I sue a landlord if my child got lead poisoning from peeling paint in the apartment?
In general, a tenant may be able to bring a claim against a landlord if a child was harmed by lead paint in an apartment, but the answer depends heavily on the facts, the lease, the condition of the property, notice to t...
What are my rights if a neighbor used a device to listen to my conversation inside my apartment?
If a neighbor used a device to listen to a private conversation inside your apartment, you may have legal rights under California law. In general, people have a strong expectation of privacy in their homes, and secretly...
Is it legal for a mechanic to begin crash repairs before I approve the final estimate?
In general, a mechanic or auto body shop should not begin significant crash repairs without some form of customer authorization, but the exact rule can depend on the paperwork you signed, the shop’s policies, the insurer...
Can I Get Out of a Car Purchase After Finding Out the Odometer Was Rolled Back?
If you bought a car in Hawaii and later learned the odometer may have been rolled back, you may have several possible legal and practical options, but the right remedy depends on the facts. In general, odometer tampering...
Can a landlord deny me housing because of my credit score alone?
In general, a landlord may consider your credit score when screening rental applicants, but the answer depends on the facts and on whether any fair housing or consumer credit rules apply. A credit score by itself is not...
What are my rights if my landlord recorded our maintenance dispute and posted part of it online?
In Illinois, your rights may depend on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what the landlord posted online. In general, a landlord is not automatically allowed to record private conversations or publish th...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to charge me $85 every month for valet trash I never agreed to?
In Arizona, whether an apartment complex may charge a monthly valet trash fee usually depends on the lease, any addenda, and whether the fee was clearly disclosed before you signed. In general, landlords and property man...
What happens if a repair shop charges storage fees without notifying me?
In Massachusetts, a repair shop that charges storage fees without telling you first may face a dispute over whether those charges are valid or collectible. In general, a business that keeps your vehicle or other property...