Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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...
My Contractor Used Unlicensed Workers — Can I Cancel the Contract?
In California, the answer often depends on the facts of the job, the contract terms, and what “unlicensed workers” means in your situation. In general, a contractor using workers who do not hold a required license does n...
What happens if a contractor used cheaper materials than what was listed in our written agreement?
If a contractor used cheaper materials than what your written agreement called for, the situation is often treated as a possible contract dispute, and sometimes also as a consumer-protection issue, depending on the facts...
How do I fight an eviction notice if the landlord changed the locks on the mailbox and I missed rent notices?
In New Mexico, a missed rent notice can matter in an eviction, but the impact depends on the lease, the landlord’s notice method, and the facts of the case. If a landlord changed the locks on the mailbox and that interfe...
What happens if my landlord taped the notice to the outside gate instead of my actual door?
In Colorado, the answer usually depends on what kind of notice was given, what the lease says, and whether the notice method was legally sufficient for that situation. A notice taped to an outside gate may or may not cou...
Is it legal for a dealership to charge a document fee of $899?
In Colorado, a dealership may be able to charge a document fee, but whether an $899 fee is legally allowed depends on several factors, including how the fee is disclosed, what it is for, and whether the dealer is followi...
Can a Landlord Make Me Pay Rent After Finding a New Tenant?
In general, a landlord may not be able to collect the full rent from a tenant for the same time period after the unit has been rented to someone else. If a landlord finds a new tenant and starts receiving rent from that...
Can I Protect My Interest in My Father’s House if There Was No Will in Illinois?
If your father died in Illinois without a will, his property is usually handled under Illinois intestacy law. That means the house may pass according to state law rather than according to informal family expectations or...
Can I be evicted for having a washer in my unit if the lease never mentions appliances?
In Utah, the answer depends on the lease terms, the building rules, and whether the washer violates any other part of the rental agreement. If the lease truly says nothing about appliances, that does not automatically me...
Do I have to accept arbitration when a home warranty company refuses to cover my broken air conditioner?
In South Carolina, you usually have to start with the terms of the home warranty contract. Many home warranty agreements include an arbitration clause, which may require disputes to go through arbitration instead of cour...
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 are my rights if my landlord increases rent in the middle of my lease term?
In Colorado, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease unless the lease itself allows that kind of increase or the tenant agrees to a change. A written lease often sets the rent amount...
How do I respond if my landlord gives me a notice for unauthorized occupants but it is just my babysitter?
If you are in Vermont and your landlord says your babysitter is an “unauthorized occupant,” the first step is usually to read the notice carefully and compare it to your lease. In general, landlords often use terms like...
Is it legal for a landlord to post an eviction notice on my door where neighbors can see it?
In general, a landlord may be allowed to post an eviction notice on your door, but whether that is legally proper depends on the applicable notice rules, the type of notice being used, and the facts of the situation. In...
Can I file in small claims court over a $1,500 security camera installation that never worked correctly?
In general, a dispute over a $1,500 security camera installation may be the kind of consumer service problem that can be handled in small claims court, depending on Wyoming’s small claims rules and the specific facts. Sm...