Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Do I have to leave after a 60-day notice if I just renewed my lease online?
In Montana, the answer depends on what the online renewal says, whether the landlord had the legal right to end or decline renewal, and whether the lease is actually in effect for a new term. In general, if a tenant and...
What happens if an eviction notice was served to my teenage child while I was at work?
In New Hampshire, what happens next usually depends on who was actually served, how the notice was delivered, and whether the child was old enough to understand and relay the paper to you. In general, an eviction notice...
What happens if I accidentally broke a neighbor’s window while playing basketball in the driveway?
If you accidentally broke a neighbor’s window while playing basketball in your driveway, the situation is usually handled as a property damage issue rather than a criminal one, but the exact response depends on the facts...
What are my rights if I received a 30-day notice after asking for repairs in writing?
If you are in Washington and you asked for repairs in writing, then got a 30-day notice afterward, that can raise concerns about whether the landlord is trying to end the tenancy because you asserted repair rights. In ge...
Do I have to prove the exact time a spill appeared before I slipped?
In general, no. In a Rhode Island slip-and-fall claim, people usually do not have to prove the exact minute a spill appeared before the fall. What often matters more is whether the property owner or occupier knew, or rea...
Can I Break My Lease Because the Elevator Has Been Broken for Weeks?
In Maryland, a broken elevator may be a serious housing problem, but it does not automatically let a tenant break a lease. In general, the legal question is whether the problem is severe enough to make the rental unit or...
How do I handle harassment from a former dating partner if there was no domestic relationship?
If a former dating partner is harassing you, the fact that there was no domestic relationship does not necessarily mean you have no legal options. In Washington, the available options often depend on what the person is d...
Can my landlord keep my deposit for damage I did not cause?
In general, a landlord may only keep a security deposit for reasons allowed by the lease and by state law. If the claimed damage was not caused by you, your household, or your guests, the landlord may have a weaker basis...
Do I have to pay a cancellation charge when the cleaning company canceled on me twice?
In general, if the cleaning company canceled on you twice, whether you owe a cancellation charge depends on the contract, the company’s cancellation policy, and what actually happened. If the company was the one that fai...
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...
A package locker malfunctioned and my package disappeared. Is the apartment complex responsible?
In Virginia, an apartment complex may be responsible for a missing package only in some situations, and the answer usually depends on the lease, the property’s rules, who controlled the locker system, and what caused the...
Can a Landlord Refuse to Fix a Broken Refrigerator?
In general, a landlord may not be able to ignore a broken refrigerator if the appliance is part of the rental agreement or was provided with the unit, especially if the issue affects habitability or the tenant’s use of t...
Is it legal for a body shop to charge storage fees while waiting on insurance approval?
In general, a body shop in Kentucky may be able to charge storage fees while a vehicle is waiting on insurance approval, but whether the charges are lawful usually depends on the repair agreement, notice given to the veh...
Can my landlord charge late fees every day after rent is five days late?
In Kansas, the answer usually depends on the lease and any limits that apply under state and local law. In general, a landlord may only charge late fees if the lease allows them, and the fee terms must be enforceable und...
Can I Sue a Moving Company for Scratched Floors and Missing Boxes?
In general, a moving company may be responsible if its workers damaged your property or lost items during the move. Scratched floors can sometimes be treated as property damage, and missing boxes may sometimes be treated...