Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can I Get My Deposit Back If the Venue Canceled My Event?
In Georgia, whether you can get your deposit back after a venue cancels your event usually depends on the contract, the reason for the cancellation, and what money was paid as a deposit versus a nonrefundable booking fee...
What happens if a contractor never pulled permits and the city fines me $1,500?
If a contractor did work without pulling the required permits and the city fined you, the homeowner is often the person the city looks to first in New Hampshire. That can be true even if the contractor was the one who fa...
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...
Do I have to leave after a notice to quit if the landlord has not scheduled a court hearing?
In Alabama, a notice to quit usually does not, by itself, mean you are already evicted. In general, a notice to quit is a landlord’s written demand that you leave the rental unit or fix a lease problem within a stated ti...
Can my landlord charge me for damages I reported before moving in?
In general, a landlord should not charge a tenant for damage that was already there before the tenant moved in, if the tenant can show the damage existed at move-in and was properly reported. In Alaska, as in many states...
Can I Break My Lease if Apartment Guest Access Is Severely Restricted?
In California, severely restricted guest access might create a lease or habitability issue, but it does not automatically let a tenant break a lease. The answer usually depends on what the lease says, how the restriction...
What happens if my security camera records audio of guests talking inside my living room?
In California, a security camera that records audio inside your living room can raise significant privacy issues, even if the camera was installed for home security. Whether the recording is lawful usually depends on the...
Neighbor’s dog keeps getting loose and scratched my car. Can animal control help with property damage?
In Georgia, animal control may be able to help if a neighbor’s dog is repeatedly running loose, creating a nuisance, or violating local animal control rules. Whether animal control can do anything about the car damage it...
Do I have to call the police if I discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental?
If you discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental in New York, you generally are not legally required in every situation to call the police just because you found it. But in many cases, contacting law enforcement may b...
What happens if my landlord shuts off my electricity because I complained about repairs?
If a landlord shuts off your electricity because you complained about repairs, that may be considered a serious housing rights issue in New Mexico. In general, a landlord is not supposed to use utility shutoffs as a way...
What are my rights if I was injured in an elevator that dropped suddenly?
If you were injured in an elevator that dropped suddenly in Maryland, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries if someone else’s negligence contributed to the incident. In general, possible responsib...
Is it legal for the dog owner to threaten me for reporting the bite?
In general, no one is allowed to threaten, harass, or intimidate you just because you reported a dog bite. If a dog owner is angry about a report to animal control, the police, a landlord, or another authority, that does...
Can I File a Police Report if My Neighbor Is Wearing My Stolen Sweater?
Yes, you usually can file a police report if you reasonably believe your sweater was stolen and you have information suggesting your neighbor may be in possession of it. In Texas, a police report is generally a way to re...
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...
How do I handle an eviction notice when the landlord never gave me a written lease?
In Nebraska, not having a written lease does not necessarily mean a landlord cannot try to evict you. In general, a rental agreement can sometimes be oral or implied from the way you and the landlord have been acting, su...