Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
What happens if I was hurt at a neighbor’s house during a backyard party?
If you were hurt at a neighbor’s house during a backyard party in Wisconsin, the first question is usually why the injury happened and whether the property owner may have been legally responsible. In general, injuries on...
What happens if a new landlord tries to change my lease terms mid-year?
In North Carolina, a new landlord usually steps into the shoes of the prior landlord when a rental property changes hands. That generally means an existing lease does not automatically disappear just because ownership ch...
What happens if a landlord refuses to add my spouse to the lease after we got married?
In Alaska, a landlord’s refusal to add your spouse to an existing lease after marriage may have several possible explanations, and the answer often depends on the lease terms, the landlord’s policies, and the facts of th...
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...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge for overnight guests?
In general, a landlord may be able to charge for overnight guests only if the rental agreement clearly allows it or if the guest’s presence changes the nature of the tenancy in some way the lease addresses. The exact ans...
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...
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...
What are my rights if my landlord keeps entering my unit without proper notice?
In general, tenants have a right to privacy and the right to occupy their rental unit without repeated, unexplained, or unreasonable entries by a landlord. In New Hampshire, the details can depend on the lease, the reaso...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge separate fees for amenities that were included in the lease?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the lease language and the surrounding facts. If an amenity was truly included in the lease as part of the agreed rent or as a promised service, a landlord may not be able to s...
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...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment ceiling collapsed and I cannot use the bedroom?
In Alabama, a ceiling collapse that makes a bedroom unusable may affect whether full rent is still owed, but the answer usually depends on the facts, the lease terms, and the landlord’s response. In general, if part of a...
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...
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...
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...
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...