Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can my landlord keep my deposit for damage I did not cause?
In general, a landlord may only keep a security deposit for reasons allowed by the lease and by state law. If the claimed damage was not caused by you, your household, or your guests, the landlord may have a weaker basis...
My Apartment Flooded From the Unit Above — Who Pays for My Damaged Furniture?
In Illinois, the answer usually depends on what caused the flood, who may have been negligent, and what insurance coverage is available. If water came from the unit above, the upstairs tenant, the upstairs landlord, the...
Can a Landlord Shut Off Water During Repairs Without Notice?
In Illinois, a landlord generally should not leave a tenant without essential water service any longer than necessary, even when repairs are being made. Whether a temporary shutoff is allowed usually depends on the facts...
My Neighbor’s Guests Keep Parking on My Lawn — Can I Tow Them?
In Illinois, you generally cannot just tow a vehicle yourself because it is parked on your lawn. Towing another person’s car usually involves private-property rules, local ordinances, notice requirements, and a towing co...
Can a broken apartment door lead to a felony under Minn. Stat. 609.595?
In Minnesota, a broken apartment door can sometimes be part of a felony property-damage charge, but not every broken door leads to a felony. Under Minn. Stat. 609.595, the legal issue usually turns on whether the damage...
How do I dispute an auto repair bill when the shop replaced parts I never authorized?
If an auto repair shop in Florida replaced parts you never authorized, you may have a basis to dispute the bill, but the best response depends on what you approved, what the shop documented, and whether the parts were tr...
Can I cancel a timeshare contract within 10 days if I signed it while on vacation?
In general, maybe—but it depends on the contract terms and the law that applies to your purchase. A timeshare agreement signed while on vacation is often a high-pressure transaction, and many timeshare purchases include...
My storage unit had water damage and they say insurance was “required” but never explained. Who is responsible?
In Texas, responsibility for water damage in a storage unit usually depends on several things at once: the rental agreement, any insurance requirement in the contract, what caused the water damage, and whether the facili...
What happens if a gym sends my account to collections after I moved and could not use the location?
If a gym in Georgia sends your account to collections after you moved and could not use the location, the account may still be treated as an unpaid debt unless the contract, cancellation rules, or the facts give you a de...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a fee for receiving packages?
In Nevada, a landlord may be able to charge a fee for receiving packages if the fee is allowed by the lease or rental agreement and is not otherwise prohibited by law. In general, the key question is whether the landlord...
What are my rights if a contractor damages my property and refuses to fix it?
If a contractor damages your property and then refuses to correct the damage, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law, depending on the contract, the facts, and the type of damage involved. In general, a c...
Do I have to pay court costs mentioned in an eviction notice that has not been filed yet?
In general, not necessarily. If an eviction notice has not yet been filed in court, the amount listed for “court costs” is often part of a demand from the landlord, not yet a court-ordered charge. Whether you must pay it...
Do I have to pay a plumber who fixed the wrong pipe and the leak came back the next day?
In general, whether you have to pay a plumber in Missouri depends on what was agreed to, what work was actually done, and whether the plumber provided the service you requested. If the plumber fixed the wrong pipe, the l...
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...