Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
What Can I Do If a Store Sold Me a Defective Appliance and Will Not Take It Back?
If a store in Nebraska sold you a defective appliance and will not take it back, your options usually depend on the store’s return policy, the appliance’s condition, any warranty coverage, and what happened before and af...
Can I sue a landlord if my child got lead poisoning from peeling paint in the apartment?
In general, a tenant may be able to bring a claim against a landlord if a child was harmed by lead paint in an apartment, but the answer depends heavily on the facts, the lease, the condition of the property, notice to t...
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...
Can my landlord evict me for having a pet if they knew about the dog for six months?
In Missouri, a landlord may sometimes try to evict a tenant for having a pet if the lease or house rules prohibit pets. But if the landlord knew about the dog for six months and did not object right away, that fact may m...
What are my rights if my child was injured at daycare because staff were not watching?
If a child is injured at daycare because staff were not watching, the parents or guardians may have several possible legal and practical rights, depending on what happened and what Alabama law applies. In general, a dayc...
How do I handle a landlord charging me for utilities I never agreed to?
In North Carolina, the first question is usually whether your lease or another signed agreement actually says you are responsible for those utilities. If the written lease is silent, unclear, or says something different...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
Hotel charged me for damages I didn’t cause after I checked out. How do I dispute it?
If a hotel in Nevada charged you for damages after checkout that you did not cause, you can usually dispute the charge by asking the hotel for a clear explanation, collecting proof of the room’s condition, and contesting...
Can a Landlord Charge Pet Rent for an Emotional Support Animal?
In general, a landlord may not treat an emotional support animal, or ESA, the same way as an ordinary pet just because the animal lives in the rental home. Under fair housing rules that commonly apply to assistance anima...
What are my rights if my landlord recorded our maintenance dispute and posted part of it online?
In Illinois, your rights may depend on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what the landlord posted online. In general, a landlord is not automatically allowed to record private conversations or publish th...
Is it legal for the insurance company to total my car even though I want it repaired?
In general, yes. In Florida, an insurance company may be allowed to declare a vehicle a total loss even if you would prefer to have it repaired, depending on the policy, the damage, the car’s value, and the insurer’s est...
Can a contractor put a lien on my house if I already paid the general contractor in full?
In general, yes, a contractor or subcontractor may still try to file a lien against a homeowner’s property even if the homeowner already paid the general contractor in full. The key issue is often not just whether you pa...
What are my rights if my mechanic found hidden frame damage after the insurer already paid the claim?
If a mechanic discovers hidden frame damage after an insurance company has already paid for a repair claim, you may still have options, but the details usually depend on the policy language, the claim record, the repair...
What are my rights if the landlord accepted rent after the eviction notice deadline passed?
In general, if a landlord accepts rent after an eviction notice deadline has passed, that acceptance may affect the eviction process. In some situations, taking rent can be treated as waiving the default or as evidence t...
Can my landlord charge me for parking when it was previously free under my lease?
In Alaska, the answer often depends on what your lease says, whether parking was part of the rented premises, and whether the landlord is trying to change the terms in the middle of a lease term or at renewal. If your wr...