Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
How do I handle an Alabama eviction notice if I already paid the rent with a money order?
If you already paid the rent with a money order and still received an eviction notice in Alabama, the first step is usually to stay calm and gather proof of payment. A money order can be useful evidence, but the key issu...
Can my landlord make me pay an extra $150 a month because my adult son moved in temporarily?
In Maryland, a landlord usually cannot raise your rent just because an adult family member visits or stays temporarily, but the answer often depends on the lease, the length of the stay, and whether the person is being t...
How do I get compensation for undisclosed defects in a rental property?
In California, a tenant who discovers undisclosed defects in a rental property may have several possible ways to seek compensation, but the available options usually depend on the facts, the lease terms, and whether the...
Can my landlord keep my deposit for damages caused by a previous tenant?
In New Hampshire, a landlord usually cannot keep a tenant’s security deposit for damage that was already there before the current tenant moved in, if the damage was not caused by the current tenant and is not the kind of...
What are my rights if my insurance denied a roof claim after a storm but my neighbor’s similar claim was approved?
If you are in Kansas and your insurer denied a storm-related roof claim while a neighbor’s similar claim was approved, that can feel unfair. In general, though, the fact that another homeowner received payment does not a...
A delivery driver hit my mailbox and the company won’t respond. What’s my next move?
If a delivery driver damaged your mailbox in Tennessee and the company is not responding, the situation usually starts as a property-damage claim. In general, the key issue is whether you can show who caused the damage,...
Do I have to leave by the end of a 30-day notice if I have nowhere else to go?
In Oregon, a 30-day notice usually means the landlord is telling you that the tenancy is ending, but it does not always mean you must move out immediately on day 30 without any further process. In many situations, the la...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to fix a broken AC during a heatwave for 10 days?
In Illinois, tenants often ask whether a landlord must repair a broken air conditioner quickly during extreme heat. In general, the answer depends on the lease, the habitability conditions in the unit, local housing rule...