Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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...
Can I take a landlord to small claims court for hotel costs when the apartment flooded and was unlivable?
In Oklahoma, you may be able to ask a small claims court to consider hotel costs if your apartment flooded and became unlivable, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the cause of the flooding, notice to the landl...
Can an apartment complex charge pet fees for a visiting dog that stayed one weekend?
In Colorado, an apartment complex may sometimes try to charge a pet fee for a visiting dog, but whether that charge is allowed usually depends on the lease, the community rules, and what exactly the fee is meant to cover...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment is unlivable due to a fire?
In Alabama, the answer usually depends on how badly the fire damaged the apartment and whether it is still legally or practically livable. If a fire makes the unit unsafe to occupy, tenants often wonder whether rent stop...
Can my landlord deduct $600 for nail holes and normal wear after I lived there five years?
In Wisconsin, a landlord usually cannot charge a tenant for ordinary wear and tear, and that often includes minor damage that happens from normal living over time. Nail holes from hanging pictures or everyday use may som...
Can my landlord evict me after one late rent payment if I have lived here for four years?
In Ohio, a landlord may be able to start an eviction process after a late rent payment, but that does not always mean eviction will happen right away or that one late payment automatically ends your tenancy. The answer u...
Is it legal for a landlord in Alabama to keep my security deposit for normal carpet wear?
In general, a landlord in Alabama usually should not keep a security deposit just because carpet shows normal wear from ordinary use. Security deposits are commonly used to cover unpaid rent, lease violations, or damage...
Can Someone Inherit a House That Sits on Land Owned by Another Family Member?
Yes, in general, a person may inherit a house even if the land underneath it is owned by another family member, but the answer depends on how ownership is structured and what the property records say. In Massachusetts, a...
What happens if a homeowner’s insurance company denies my claim after I fell on a broken porch step?
If a homeowner’s insurance company denies your claim after you fell on a broken porch step, that usually means the insurer is not agreeing to pay under the policy at that time. The denial may be based on the insurer’s vi...
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...
What happens if a contractor damaged my neighbor’s fence while working on my property?
If a contractor damaged your neighbor’s fence while working on your property, the situation is usually handled as a property damage issue, and the exact legal responsibility can depend on the facts. In general, the neigh...
What Civil Claims Apply When Packages Are Stolen During Delivery?
When a package is stolen during delivery, the possible civil claims often depend on who had the package, what the delivery terms said, and how the loss happened. In general, the most common legal theories may include bre...
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...
Is it legal for my spouse to change the locks on our house during divorce?
In Kentucky, the answer is often: it depends on the facts, the ownership or lease situation, and whether there are any court orders in place. A spouse may sometimes change the locks during a divorce, but that does not al...
Do I Have a Small Claims Case if My Boss Destroyed My Personal Property at Work?
If your boss destroyed your personal property at work, you may have a small claims issue in Montana, but the answer usually depends on the facts. In general, a small claims case is about trying to recover the value of pr...