Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a $300 cleaning fee when the lease says cleaning is included in the deposit?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the exact lease language, the condition of the rental unit at move-out, and how the landlord is using the deposit and any additional fees. If the lease says cleaning is include...
Can my landlord evict me for having a pet that was approved verbally but not in writing?
In New Jersey, a landlord may try to evict a tenant for having a pet if the lease prohibits pets or requires written approval and that approval was never documented. But whether an eviction can succeed usually depends on...
What happens if my package is stolen after being marked delivered?
If a package is marked delivered but later appears stolen, the next steps usually depend on where it was delivered, who owned the package at that point, and what the seller, carrier, or payment provider’s policies say. I...
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...
Do I have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing in Washington?
In Washington, you usually do not have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing. These hearings are often handled in civil court, and many people represent themselves. That said, having a lawyer ca...
Can a landlord charge late fees when their online payment portal was down on the due date?
In general, a landlord may only charge late fees if the lease allows them and the fee is otherwise lawful under Tennessee law. If the landlord’s online payment portal was down on the due date, that fact may matter becaus...
Can I record a conversation with my landlord during a walkthrough if my phone is visible?
In Massachusetts, whether you can record a conversation with your landlord during a walkthrough usually depends on consent and the type of conversation involved. A visible phone by itself does not automatically make reco...
What happens if my spouse refuses to sign a deed transferring the house after divorce?
In Connecticut, if a divorce judgment or property settlement says one spouse must transfer a house, a refusal to sign a deed does not usually end the matter. The divorce order may still control, and the court may have wa...
How do I dispute a $980 charge from a hotel that claimed I smoked in a non-smoking room?
If a hotel charged you $980 for allegedly smoking in a non-smoking room, the dispute usually turns on the hotel’s terms, the evidence it has, and whether the charge was authorized. In general, hotels may impose smoking f...
My neighbor’s kids keep ringing my doorbell late at night. Is this harassment or just annoying?
In general, repeated late-night doorbell ringing can be more than a nuisance, but whether it counts as harassment depends on the facts. A one-time prank or occasional childish behavior is usually treated differently from...
My landlord wants me to pay rent by Zelle only. I’m uncomfortable. Can I insist on another method?
In California, a landlord may sometimes prefer one payment method over another, but whether a tenant can insist on a different way to pay rent often depends on the lease, the landlord’s policies, and the surrounding fact...
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...
Is it legal for a landlord to threaten eviction after I reported harassment by another tenant?
In Washington, a landlord generally should not use eviction threats as punishment for a tenant’s good-faith complaint about harassment or other habitability problems. In many situations, a threat to evict after a tenant...
Is it legal for a car dealership to sell me a car that failed inspection the same week?
In New York, the answer usually depends on the facts of the sale, the car’s condition, and what the dealership told you before and during the transaction. In general, a dealership does not automatically act unlawfully ju...
Is it legal for a landlord to give an eviction notice because my child is too loud during the day?
In Florida, a landlord may be able to give an eviction notice if the child’s noise is tied to a lease violation, a nuisance, or repeated disturbances that affect other tenants or neighbors. But a notice is not the same t...