Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Is it legal for a mechanic to keep my car because I disputed the charges?
In North Carolina, a mechanic may sometimes have a legal right to keep a vehicle if there is an unpaid repair bill or a dispute about charges, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, a shop that performe...
What happens if a roommate secretly installed a camera in our shared bathroom?
If a roommate secretly installed a camera in a shared bathroom, that can raise serious legal and safety concerns in Texas. In general, a bathroom is one of the most private places in a home, and secretly recording people...
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...
What are my rights if my landlord entered my apartment while I was at work and did not leave a note?
In Connecticut, a landlord usually does not have unlimited access to a rental unit just because the tenant is away. In general, tenants have a right to private use and enjoyment of their home, and a landlord’s entry may...
What Are My Rights if My Lease Renewal Is Delayed Until the Last Day?
If your lease renewal is delayed until the last day, your rights in New York usually depend on the type of housing, the wording of your lease, any rent regulation rules, and how your landlord has handled the renewal proc...
What are my rights if my landlord shows my apartment without notifying me?
In Connecticut, a landlord usually does not have unlimited access to a rental unit. In general, tenants have a right to privacy and the right to use and enjoy the apartment without unnecessary interference. That means a...
Can my apartment complex fine me because my guest parked in the wrong spot for 20 minutes?
In Texas, an apartment complex may be able to charge a tenant a fee or fine for a guest parking violation if the lease, parking rules, or community policies allow it. The exact answer usually depends on what your lease s...
Is it legal for a landlord to give me an eviction notice while my unit is under repair after a fire?
In general, a landlord in South Dakota may be able to give an eviction notice even while a rental unit is being repaired after a fire, but whether that notice is legally effective depends on several facts. The biggest is...
Do I have to let my landlord show my apartment with only two hours of notice?
In Washington, the answer usually depends on the lease, the reason for the showing, and whether the landlord is giving notice that is reasonable under the circumstances. In general, a landlord does not have unlimited acc...
What happens if my landlord changes the parking rules and removes my assigned spot mid-lease?
In general, a landlord cannot simply change an important lease term in the middle of a fixed-term tenancy unless the lease allows that kind of change or the tenant agrees to it. An assigned parking spot is often treated...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge me for replacing appliances that were already old?
In general, a landlord cannot usually charge a tenant for replacing an appliance just because the appliance was already old and reached the end of its normal life. Ordinary aging, normal wear and tear, and depreciation a...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to ban a dog after it bites another tenant?
In Arizona, an apartment complex may be able to restrict or remove a dog after a bite, but it usually depends on the lease, the property’s pet policy, the severity of the incident, and whether the dog is covered by any d...
What are my rights if I got an eviction notice after joining a tenant union?
If you received an eviction notice after joining a tenant union, that timing may raise a concern about retaliation. In general, landlords are not supposed to punish tenants for engaging in protected activity, and joining...
Do Property Showings While Selling a House Affect My Lease Rights in Rhode Island?
In general, property showings while a landlord is selling a house do not automatically cancel or reduce a tenant’s lease rights in Rhode Island. If you have a valid lease, the landlord usually still has to honor its term...
What happens if my landlord sold the building and the new owner says my lease no longer counts?
In North Carolina, a sale of rental property does not usually erase a valid lease just because ownership changed. In general, the new owner steps into the shoes of the old landlord and takes the property subject to exist...