Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
How do I prove an eviction notice was served improperly?
In Minnesota, the way an eviction notice is served can matter a great deal, but the exact effect depends on the facts, the type of notice, and the lease or other housing agreement. If a landlord did not serve the notice...
Can a Landlord Refuse to Renew My Lease Because I Complained About Repairs?
In general, a landlord may sometimes decide not to renew a lease when it ends. But if the nonrenewal is tied to your complaint about repairs, the landlord’s decision may raise legal concerns, depending on the facts and o...
What are my rights if someone keeps leaving notes on my windshield saying they are watching me?
If someone keeps leaving notes on your windshield saying they are watching you, that can be frightening and may be legally significant. In general, you may have rights related to unwanted contact, harassment, stalking, t...
What happens if the respondent claims I am the one harassing them?
If you are involved in a Washington protection-order case and the respondent says you are the one harassing them, the court usually does not treat that claim as automatically ending your case. Instead, the judge generall...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a key replacement fee of $200?
In South Dakota, a landlord may sometimes charge a tenant for replacing a lost or unreturned key, but whether a $200 fee is legal usually depends on the lease, the actual cost of replacement, and whether the charge is tr...
How do I take a pet sitter to small claims court for negligence?
If a pet sitter’s carelessness caused harm to your pet, property, or related expenses, a small claims case in Wyoming may be one possible way to try to recover money damages. In general, small claims court is designed fo...
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Replacing Appliances That Were Already Old?
In general, a landlord may only charge a tenant for appliance replacement if the lease, rental agreement, or the law allows it and the tenant is responsible for the damage or loss. If an appliance was already old, worn o...
Is it legal for a dealership to refuse to fix a warranty issue because I missed one oil change?
In general, a dealership or manufacturer may not be able to deny warranty coverage for every missed oil change automatically. The key question is usually whether the missed service actually caused or contributed to the p...
What happens if an eviction notice was served to my teenage child while I was at work?
In New Hampshire, what happens next usually depends on who was actually served, how the notice was delivered, and whether the child was old enough to understand and relay the paper to you. In general, an eviction notice...
Can my landlord evict me because my rent was late while I was waiting on disability benefits?
In New Jersey, a landlord may try to evict a tenant for unpaid rent, even if the tenant was waiting on disability benefits. In general, being behind on rent can give a landlord a basis to start an eviction case, because...
Can I sue my landlord if I found a hidden camera inside my bedroom smoke detector?
If you found a hidden camera inside a smoke detector in your bedroom, that can raise very serious privacy and safety concerns. In California, a landlord generally is not allowed to secretly record a tenant in a private a...
How do I handle an eviction notice when the landlord never gave me a written lease?
In Nebraska, not having a written lease does not necessarily mean a landlord cannot try to evict you. In general, a rental agreement can sometimes be oral or implied from the way you and the landlord have been acting, su...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to fix a broken AC during a heatwave for 10 days?
In Illinois, tenants often ask whether a landlord must repair a broken air conditioner quickly during extreme heat. In general, the answer depends on the lease, the habitability conditions in the unit, local housing rule...
What happens if I recorded a roommate admitting they stole money but did not ask for consent first?
In California, recording a conversation without asking for consent first can raise serious legal issues, even if the other person appears to confess to theft. California is generally a two-party consent state for confide...
What are my rights if a storage company increases my rent by 40% without notice?
In general, whether a storage company can raise your rent by 40% without notice depends on the rental agreement, the company’s policies, and Oklahoma law. In many self-storage arrangements, the written contract controls...