Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can I Stop Paying Rent If Mold Is Making Me Sick?
In Pennsylvania, mold problems can be serious, especially if they may be affecting your health. But in general, a tenant should not assume that mold automatically allows them to stop paying rent. Rent withholding can cre...
What Type of Attorney Handles Defamation Threats Over Social Media Posts?
In general, a defamation issue involving social media posts may be handled by an attorney who practices defamation law, media law, First Amendment-related litigation, or civil litigation. In Kansas, the right type of law...
Can a Landlord Charge Pet Rent for an Emotional Support Animal?
In California, a landlord generally may not treat an emotional support animal as a pet just because the animal lives with a tenant. An emotional support animal, sometimes called an ESA, is usually considered a housing ac...
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...
What Happens If a Company Refuses to Honor a Written Price Quote?
In general, if a company gives you a written price quote and later refuses to honor it, the situation may turn on what the quote said, whether it was meant to be binding, and what other communications or documents were e...
How do I protect rental property income in a prenuptial agreement?
In general, a prenuptial agreement can be one way to define how rental property and rental income will be treated during a marriage. For example, the agreement may state that a particular building remains separate proper...
What are my rights if a neighbor keeps recording my children in the yard and yelling insults?
In Washington, you may have several possible legal concerns if a neighbor repeatedly records your children in your yard and yells insults at you or them. In general, this kind of conduct can raise issues involving harass...
Can a Landlord Make Me Pay for Replacing the Entire Carpet?
In general, a landlord may try to charge a tenant for carpet replacement if the carpet was damaged beyond ordinary wear and tear during the tenancy. But a landlord usually cannot require a tenant to pay for a brand-new c...
Can my landlord make me pay for professional carpet cleaning if the lease only says “clean”?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the exact lease language, the condition of the carpet when you move out, and any other written move-out rules or addenda that are part of the lease. If the lease only says you...
What happens if my spouse bought a motorcycle during marriage but titled it in a friend’s name?
In Louisiana, a motorcycle bought during marriage may still be treated as a marital asset even if the title is in a friend’s name. Title is important evidence, but it is not always the only thing a court may look at when...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...
How do I handle a landlord who is charging me for water bills from before I moved in?
If a landlord is trying to make you pay water bills from before you moved in, the first question is whether your lease clearly says you are responsible for those charges. In general, a landlord usually cannot shift earli...
Can I withhold rent if my landlord refuses to fix a broken stove for weeks?
In Illinois, the answer is often not a simple yes or no. A broken stove can be an important habitability issue, but whether you may withhold rent depends on the lease, the seriousness of the problem, whether the landlord...
What are my rights if my spouse refuses to refinance the house after divorce?
In Washington, what happens if a spouse refuses to refinance the house after divorce usually depends on the divorce decree, settlement agreement, and how the home was awarded. In general, a divorce judgment can require o...
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Cleaning When I Left the Place Spotless?
In Texas, a landlord may sometimes charge for cleaning after you move out, but that usually depends on the lease, the condition of the unit, and how the landlord characterizes the charge. If you left the place truly clea...