Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Is it legal for a landlord to charge separate fees for amenities that were included in the lease?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the lease language and the surrounding facts. If an amenity was truly included in the lease as part of the agreed rent or as a promised service, a landlord may not be able to s...
What happens if my landlord changes the parking rules and removes my assigned spot mid-lease?
In general, a landlord cannot simply change an important lease term in the middle of a fixed-term tenancy unless the lease allows that kind of change or the tenant agrees to it. An assigned parking spot is often treated...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment ceiling collapsed and I cannot use the bedroom?
In Alabama, a ceiling collapse that makes a bedroom unusable may affect whether full rent is still owed, but the answer usually depends on the facts, the lease terms, and the landlord’s response. In general, if part of a...
What are my rights if my landlord entered my apartment while I was at work and did not leave a note?
In Connecticut, a landlord usually does not have unlimited access to a rental unit just because the tenant is away. In general, tenants have a right to private use and enjoyment of their home, and a landlord’s entry may...
Do I have to let my landlord show my apartment with only two hours of notice?
In Washington, the answer usually depends on the lease, the reason for the showing, and whether the landlord is giving notice that is reasonable under the circumstances. In general, a landlord does not have unlimited acc...
Can a Landlord Refuse to Renew My Lease Because I Complained About Repairs?
In general, a landlord may sometimes decide not to renew a lease when it ends. But if the nonrenewal is tied to your complaint about repairs, the landlord’s decision may raise legal concerns, depending on the facts and o...
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...
My landlord is making repairs only during my night-shift sleeping hours. Can I limit access times?
In Washington, a tenant may often ask a landlord to schedule repairs at more reasonable times, especially if the repairs are disrupting sleep or interfering with the tenant’s use of the rental unit. In general, landlords...
Can my apartment complex fine me because my guest parked in the wrong spot for 20 minutes?
In Texas, an apartment complex may be able to charge a tenant a fee or fine for a guest parking violation if the lease, parking rules, or community policies allow it. The exact answer usually depends on what your lease s...
My Landlord Is Showing My Apartment Constantly Before I Move Out — What Are My Rights?
If you are renting in New York and your landlord is showing your apartment frequently before you move out, you generally still have a right to reasonable privacy and quiet use of the unit while your lease is in effect. A...
What are my rights if the eviction notice lists the wrong amount of days to cure the problem?
If an eviction notice lists the wrong number of days to cure a problem, that may matter a lot, but the effect usually depends on Oklahoma law, the lease, the type of notice, and the exact facts. In general, a notice to c...
Do I have to accept store credit if an appliance store delivered the wrong refrigerator?
In general, if an appliance store delivers the wrong refrigerator, you do not automatically have to accept store credit instead of getting the problem corrected. The answer often depends on the sales agreement, the store...
Is it legal for a lender to charge late fees while my deferment request is pending?
In general, the answer depends on the loan documents, the lender’s policies, and whether the lender has formally approved the deferment. A pending deferment request does not always stop late fees by itself. In many situa...
How do I protect rental property income in a prenuptial agreement?
In general, a prenuptial agreement can be one way to define how rental property and rental income will be treated during a marriage. For example, the agreement may state that a particular building remains separate proper...
Can my landlord evict me for smoking outside if the lease only bans smoking indoors?
In Utah, a landlord may sometimes try to enforce a no-smoking rule beyond the exact words of the lease, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, the property rules, and the facts. If the lease only says smok...