Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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 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...
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...
Can a Security Guard Legally Detain Me After I Showed Proof of Purchase?
In Utah, a security guard may sometimes stop or hold someone briefly, but only within the limits of the law and the guard’s authority. Showing proof of purchase may resolve the immediate concern, but it does not automati...
Can I keep the house in an equitable distribution divorce if the mortgage is only in my spouse’s name?
In California, the fact that the mortgage is only in your spouse’s name does not by itself decide who gets the house in a divorce. California is a community property state, so the court usually looks at when the home was...
Landlord says the cracked window is my fault because I “must have slammed it.” How do I fight the charge?
In Ohio, a landlord usually cannot simply assume you caused a cracked window just because the damage was discovered while you were living there. In general, the landlord must have some factual basis for blaming you, and...
Can I Cancel a Solar Panel Contract After the Installer Delays for Months?
In general, maybe — but it depends on the contract terms, the reason for the delay, and what has happened between you and the installer since the project was signed. In Arizona, a long delay by itself does not automatica...
Can a Landlord Charge Late Fees Even Though Their Payment Portal Was Down?
In Alaska, a landlord may be able to charge a late fee even if a payment portal was temporarily down, but that usually depends on the lease, the timing of the rent payment, and whether the tenant had other reasonable way...
What are my rights if a service dog bit me in a grocery store aisle?
In Maryland, if a dog—whether it is a service dog or not—bites you in a grocery store aisle, you may have rights related to your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. The fact that the animal is a servic...
Do I have to pay the final invoice if a contractor did not follow agreed design plans?
In general, the answer depends on what the contract says, how serious the departure from the agreed design plans was, and whether the contractor substantially completed the job. If a contractor’s work does not match the...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a move-in fee not listed in the lease?
In Arkansas, whether a landlord can charge a move-in fee that was not listed in the lease usually depends on the lease language, any addenda, and whether the fee was clearly disclosed before you agreed to rent the proper...
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...
Can I Throw Away My Father’s Property After He Left It at My House?
In general, you should be careful before throwing away property that belongs to your father, even if he left it at your house. Simply leaving belongings behind does not always mean the owner has given up all rights to th...