Legal Q&A

Real Estate, Housing & Construction

Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.

TX - Texas

What happens if I got a pay-or-quit notice for $1,300 but the ledger includes charges I dispute?

In Texas, a pay-or-quit notice usually means your landlord is demanding payment of an amount they say is overdue and warning that the tenancy may be terminated if the amount is not paid within the notice period. If the l...

DE - Delaware

Is it legal for a landlord to keep both a cleaning fee and a security deposit for the same issue?

In general, a landlord may not be able to charge two separate amounts for the exact same damage, cleaning, or lease violation if that would amount to a double recovery. But whether a landlord can keep both a cleaning fee...

MI - Michigan

My Neighbor Claims My Fence Is on Their Property — Who Has to Prove It?

In Michigan, the answer usually depends on what kind of dispute this is and what evidence each side has. In a boundary dispute, the person making the claim that the fence is on the wrong property often needs to support t...

CA - California

Can I record a conversation if the other person is threatening to sue me?

In California, the answer is often no unless you follow California’s recording-consent rules. California is generally treated as a two-party consent state, which means recording a confidential conversation usually requir...

IN - Indiana

How do I get my deposit back from a landlord who claims excessive cleaning costs?

If a landlord in Indiana says they kept part or all of your deposit for excessive cleaning, the first step is usually to ask for a clear, written explanation of the charges and any supporting documentation. In general, y...

WA - Washington

What are my rights if a dog bit me while I was delivering food to someone’s house?

If a dog bit you while you were delivering food in Washington, you may have legal rights under personal injury law and possibly workers’ compensation, depending on how you were working and whose dog it was. In general, a...

CA - California

My Neighbor’s Construction Cracked My Wall — Who Pays for Repairs?

In California, who pays for a cracked wall from a neighbor’s construction usually depends on what caused the damage and who was legally responsible for it. In general, if the construction activity caused the crack, the n...

FL - Florida

Is it legal for my landlord to send an eviction notice by text message only?

In Florida, a landlord’s text message may be a warning or a communication about a rental problem, but it is not always the same thing as a legally effective eviction notice. Whether a text message-only notice is valid us...

CA - California

What Should I Do if I Identified the Neighbor Who Stole My Package?

If you identified a neighbor who may have stolen your package, the safest first step is usually to avoid confronting the person directly. A heated confrontation can escalate the situation, create safety concerns, or make...

MO - Missouri

Can I make a personal injury claim if I slipped on ice outside my office building?

In Missouri, a slip-and-fall on ice outside an office building may sometimes lead to a personal injury claim, but the answer usually depends on who controlled the area, whether anyone knew or should have known about the...

IN - Indiana

Do I have to pay for a broken appliance if it stopped working due to age?

In general, whether you have to pay for a broken appliance that stopped working due to age depends on what the appliance was, who owned it, and what agreement controlled the situation. In Indiana, as in many states, the...

KS - Kansas

Do I have to pay a cancellation fee to a wedding venue after they changed the date availability?

In Kansas, the answer usually depends on the written contract, the venue’s policies, and the reason the date changed. If the venue changed its own availability and could no longer host your wedding on the agreed date, th...

NJ - New Jersey

What are my rights if my car insurance company says my accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate?

If your car insurance company says your accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate, that usually means the insurer is questioning some part of the repair bill, the damage estimate, or the value of the loss. In...

CA - California

My neighbor’s tree drops fruit all over my driveway and attracts rats. Any legal remedy?

In California, a neighbor’s tree dropping fruit onto your driveway can sometimes lead to a legal issue, but the answer usually depends on the facts. In general, tree branches, roots, leaves, and fruit that cross a proper...

AZ - Arizona

Can I Cancel a Solar Panel Contract After the Installer Delays for Months?

In general, maybe — but it depends on the contract terms, the reason for the delay, and what has happened between you and the installer since the project was signed. In Arizona, a long delay by itself does not automatica...

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