Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can a Neighbor Legally Trim Branches From My Tree?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor may usually trim branches or roots that cross onto their property, but only up to the property line and generally at their own expense. In other words, a neighbor typically does not have the...
How do I take a pet boarding facility to court if my pet was injured in their care?
If your pet was injured while being boarded, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the facility, depending on the facts and the evidence. In Wyoming, as in many states, the legal theory might involve negligence,...
Can an HOA tow my car from my driveway because the registration sticker is expired?
In Florida, an HOA may sometimes be able to have a car towed from a driveway if the vehicle is violating the community’s recorded rules, parking restrictions, or property-use requirements. An expired registration sticker...
Can My Landlord Require Professional Cleaning Even If the Lease Doesn’t Say So?
In general, a landlord may expect a rental unit to be returned in a reasonably clean condition, but that does not always mean the landlord can require professional cleaning if the lease does not say so. In Minnesota, the...
Can I be charged if I broke my own property while it was in someone else’s apartment?
In Minnesota, you generally cannot be charged just for breaking your own property. But the fact that the item belonged to you does not always end the legal question. If the property was in someone else’s apartment, polic...
What happens if my landlord refuses to give me a copy of my signed lease?
If your landlord refuses to give you a copy of your signed lease, that can be frustrating and may make it harder to confirm the exact rental terms. In general, a lease is still a contract even if one party is holding the...
What are my rights if my landlord is charging $250 for cleaning even though I left the apartment spotless?
If you are in Idaho and your landlord is charging a $250 cleaning fee after move-out, your rights usually depend on your lease, the condition of the apartment, and whether the landlord is taking the charge from a securit...
Can I file an antiharassment protection order in Washington if my neighbor keeps yelling threats at me from the driveway?
In Washington, a person may be able to ask for an antiharassment protection order if another person engages in a course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses them and that conduct serves no legitimate or...
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 happens if I never received the eviction notice but my landlord says it was mailed?
In Wisconsin, the fact that you personally never received an eviction notice does not automatically end an eviction case. If a landlord says the notice was mailed, the key question is usually whether the landlord followe...
Is it legal for a storage unit company to auction my belongings after one missed payment?
In general, a storage unit company in Idaho cannot simply auction a renter’s belongings immediately after one missed payment. Storage companies usually have to follow the rental agreement and Idaho law, and that often in...
Can a Contractor Put a Lien on My House Over a Disputed Invoice?
In Michigan, a contractor may be able to place a lien on a house if the contractor claims unpaid money for labor, materials, or improvements to the property. A disputed invoice does not automatically prevent a lien. In g...
What are my rights if I signed a waiver without reading it carefully?
In general, signing a waiver does not automatically mean you lose every legal right connected to the situation. In Idaho, as in many states, a signed waiver may be treated as evidence that you agreed to its terms, even i...
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...
What happens if the person harassing me says their messages are just free speech?
In general, saying “it’s free speech” does not automatically make harassment lawful. Under U.S. law, people have strong speech protections, but those protections are not unlimited. Communications that cross into threats,...