Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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...
What are my rights if my renters insurance denies a claim after my laptop was stolen from my car?
If your renters insurance denies a claim after your laptop was stolen from your car, you usually still have the right to ask for the reason in writing, review the policy language, and challenge the denial if it appears u...
Our upstairs neighbor’s bathtub leaked into our closet and ruined clothes. Do we deal with them or the landlord?
In Illinois, the answer is usually that you may need to deal with both, but for different reasons. If the leak came from an upstairs neighbor’s bathtub, that neighbor may be the person connected to the source of the wate...
Is it legal for my landlord to lock me out after giving an eviction notice?
In general, no. In Nevada, a landlord usually cannot simply change the locks, shut off utilities, remove your belongings, or otherwise force you out just because an eviction notice was given. An eviction notice is usuall...
What happens if my landlord enters my apartment while I’m at work without giving me notice?
In Wisconsin, a landlord generally does not have unlimited access to a rented apartment just because the tenant is away. Even if you are at work, your apartment is still your home for legal purposes, and a landlord usual...
Can my landlord raise my rent by $400 with only 15 days of notice?
In Oregon, a rent increase with only 15 days’ notice may be lawful in some very limited situations, but it often depends on the type of tenancy, the lease terms, and whether any local rent-control or notice rules apply....
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...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee for a wedding venue that rescheduled my date without asking?
In general, a wedding venue may not be able to enforce a cancellation fee if the venue itself changed the date without your agreement. But the answer depends heavily on the contract language, what the venue actually did,...
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...
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...
What happens if I accidentally broke a neighbor’s window while playing basketball in the driveway?
If you accidentally broke a neighbor’s window while playing basketball in your driveway, the situation is usually handled as a property damage issue rather than a criminal one, but the exact response depends on the facts...
Is it legal for a business to make me pay for an ambulance after I fell on their property?
In general, a business cannot simply decide that you are legally responsible for an ambulance bill just because you fell on its property. In Indiana, as in many states, whether you must pay for emergency medical transpor...
Is it legal for a towing company to keep my car until I pay cash only?
In Nevada, a towing company may sometimes keep a vehicle until lawful towing and storage charges are paid, but the details matter. Whether a company can insist on cash only depends on the agreement, the type of tow, the...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from my assigned apartment space?
In Tennessee, a towing company may be allowed to tow a car from an apartment space that is assigned to a tenant, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the parking rules, the signage, the apartment community’s towi...
What happens if my security camera captures audio of guests talking in my living room?
In California, the fact that a security camera captures audio in a living room can raise privacy and consent issues, especially if guests did not know they were being recorded. In general, California is known for strict...