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...
Do I have to allow my landlord to enter for inspections every month?
In Washington, a landlord usually cannot enter a rental unit whenever they want. Even when a lease allows inspections, the landlord typically must follow the state’s notice and entry rules and have a lawful reason for en...
What are my rights if my landlord shuts off utilities to force me to move out?
If you are in Maryland and your landlord shuts off utilities to pressure you to leave, that is often a serious tenancy problem. In general, a landlord is not supposed to use self-help methods to force a tenant out, and t...
Is it legal for a used car dealer to sell me a car with a bad transmission and say it was sold as-is?
In New York, a used car dealer may often sell a vehicle “as-is,” but that label does not automatically excuse every problem with the car. In general, an as-is sale means the dealer is trying to limit warranty obligations...
Husband Owns the Car and Controls Finances—What Rights Do I Have During Separation?
In Oregon, your rights during a separation usually depend on the overall financial picture, not just whose name is on the car title or who manages the bank accounts. If you are married and living separately, the law gene...
Is it legal for a landlord to limit how many guests I can have over?
In general, a landlord may be able to limit guests through the lease, house rules, or building policies, including rules about how many people can stay overnight or for how long. Whether a guest limit is enforceable usua...
Is it legal for a landlord to threaten eviction after I reported harassment by another tenant?
In Washington, a landlord generally should not use eviction threats as punishment for a tenant’s good-faith complaint about harassment or other habitability problems. In many situations, a threat to evict after a tenant...
Can I Break My Lease Because the Elevator Has Been Broken for Weeks?
In Maryland, a broken elevator may be a serious housing problem, but it does not automatically let a tenant break a lease. In general, the legal question is whether the problem is severe enough to make the rental unit or...
Can a Neighbor Legally Trim Branches From My Tree?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor may usually trim branches or roots that cross onto their property, but only up to the property line and generally at their own expense. In other words, a neighbor typically does not have the...
How do I take a pet boarding facility to court if my pet was injured in their care?
If your pet was injured while being boarded, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the facility, depending on the facts and the evidence. In Wyoming, as in many states, the legal theory might involve negligence,...
Can an HOA tow my car from my driveway because the registration sticker is expired?
In Florida, an HOA may sometimes be able to have a car towed from a driveway if the vehicle is violating the community’s recorded rules, parking restrictions, or property-use requirements. An expired registration sticker...
Can I be charged if I broke my own property while it was in someone else’s apartment?
In Minnesota, you generally cannot be charged just for breaking your own property. But the fact that the item belonged to you does not always end the legal question. If the property was in someone else’s apartment, polic...
What happens if my landlord refuses to give me a copy of my signed lease?
If your landlord refuses to give you a copy of your signed lease, that can be frustrating and may make it harder to confirm the exact rental terms. In general, a lease is still a contract even if one party is holding the...
Can my landlord require renters insurance halfway through the lease?
In Georgia, a landlord may be able to require renters insurance halfway through a lease, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, any amendments, and whether the landlord has the legal right to change the re...
What happens if I never received the eviction notice but my landlord says it was mailed?
In Wisconsin, the fact that you personally never received an eviction notice does not automatically end an eviction case. If a landlord says the notice was mailed, the key question is usually whether the landlord followe...