Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can my landlord charge me for utilities that were supposed to be included in rent?
In Maryland, whether a landlord can charge you for utilities that were supposed to be included in rent usually depends on what your lease says and how the housing arrangement is structured. If the lease clearly states th...
Can my landlord require renters insurance halfway through the lease?
In Georgia, a landlord may be able to require renters insurance halfway through a lease, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, any amendments, and whether the landlord has the legal right to change the re...
What are my rights if my apartment elevator has been broken for a month and I live on the sixth floor?
If you live in Oregon and your apartment elevator has been broken for a month, you may have tenant rights if the problem makes the building unsafe, significantly interferes with your use of the home, or suggests the land...
Is it legal for a used car dealer to sell me a car with a bad transmission and say it was sold as-is?
In New York, a used car dealer may often sell a vehicle “as-is,” but that label does not automatically excuse every problem with the car. In general, an as-is sale means the dealer is trying to limit warranty obligations...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment has a severe bed bug infestation that management hasn’t treated?
In Oregon, the answer often depends on the facts, the lease, the seriousness of the infestation, and what the landlord has done to address it. In general, tenants usually still owe rent unless a recognized legal remedy a...
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...
Is it legal for a landlord to increase rent without giving 30 days’ notice?
In Michigan, whether a landlord can increase rent without giving 30 days’ notice usually depends on the type of rental agreement and the facts of the tenancy. In general, a landlord may be able to raise rent when a lease...
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...
My Roommate Moved Out Early and Left Me With the Whole Lease — Can I Recover Their Share?
In Colorado, you may sometimes be able to recover money from a roommate who moved out early and stopped paying their share, but it usually depends on the lease, any roommate agreement, and the facts of what each person p...
What happens if I paid a contractor in cash and they deny receiving it?
If you paid a contractor in cash and they later deny receiving it, the dispute usually turns on proof. In general, the person claiming payment may need some evidence showing that the money was actually handed over, and t...
Can I withhold rent if my heat has not worked for three weeks in January in Illinois?
In Illinois, a long heating outage in January can be a serious habitability problem, but whether you can withhold rent depends on the facts and on how you respond. In general, tenants are expected to notify the landlord...
Can I take a daycare to small claims court for charging me after I withdrew my child?
In Arizona, you may be able to take a daycare to small claims court if you believe the daycare charged you money it was not entitled to collect after you withdrew your child. Whether that is a good fit usually depends on...
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...
Do I have to pay rent for days when my apartment was unusable because of sewage backup?
In Louisiana, the answer often depends on how serious the sewage backup was, how much of the apartment was unusable, and what steps the landlord took to fix the problem. In general, if a major sewage backup made the apar...
Can a landlord require me to use a specific internet provider that costs more?
In Utah, a landlord may sometimes try to require tenants to use a specific internet provider, especially in buildings with exclusive service arrangements or bundled utilities. But whether that requirement is enforceable...