Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
What happens if my landlord taped the notice to the outside gate instead of my actual door?
In Colorado, the answer usually depends on what kind of notice was given, what the lease says, and whether the notice method was legally sufficient for that situation. A notice taped to an outside gate may or may not cou...
My ex took the furniture we bought together when moving out. Is this theft or civil court?
In Wisconsin, the answer usually depends on ownership, intent, and how the furniture was being used or handled before the move. If both of you owned the furniture together, the situation may be treated as a property disp...
A repair shop wiped my laptop during a battery replacement. Can I claim lost files?
If a repair shop wiped your laptop during a battery replacement, you may have a possible claim for the lost files and any related losses, but the outcome usually depends on the facts. In Washington, the most important is...
Is it legal for a landlord to make me pay for professional carpet cleaning even though I left it clean?
In Iowa, whether a landlord can charge you for professional carpet cleaning usually depends on the lease, the condition of the carpet at move-out, and how the charge is being labeled. If you left the unit clean and the c...
My landlord wants me to pay rent by Zelle only. I’m uncomfortable. Can I insist on another method?
In California, a landlord may sometimes prefer one payment method over another, but whether a tenant can insist on a different way to pay rent often depends on the lease, the landlord’s policies, and the surrounding fact...
Is it legal for a storage facility to increase my monthly rate without notice?
In Idaho, whether a storage facility can raise your monthly rent without notice usually depends on the storage rental agreement and any applicable state-law limits. In general, self-storage contracts often give the facil...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee to a wedding venue after they changed the date availability?
In Kansas, the answer usually depends on the written contract, the venue’s policies, and the reason the date changed. If the venue changed its own availability and could no longer host your wedding on the agreed date, th...
My Car Dealer Sold Me a Vehicle Without a Valid Title — What Are My Options?
If a car dealer in Indiana sold you a vehicle without a valid title, that can create serious problems with ownership, registration, insurance, and resale. In general, a valid title is the document that helps show who own...
Can a landlord charge a “lease violation fee” before giving any warning?
In Florida, a landlord usually can only charge fees that are allowed by the lease or by another valid agreement between the parties. If a lease says a “lease violation fee” may be charged for certain conduct, the landlor...
Can my landlord charge me for breaking a lease if I left because of repeated flooding?
In New Hampshire, a landlord may sometimes try to charge a tenant for breaking a lease after the tenant leaves because of repeated flooding. But whether those charges are enforceable usually depends on the lease, the con...
What happens if a dog bit me while I was lawfully entering a customer’s property for work?
If a dog bit you while you were lawfully entering a customer’s property for work, the incident may be analyzed under several different legal rules in Delaware, depending on the facts. In general, dog bite claims can invo...
My Roommate Refuses to Pay Utilities That Are in My Name — Can I Sue?
If your roommate agreed to share utilities and then stopped paying, you may have a possible repayment claim. In Virginia, as in many states, the answer often depends on what agreement existed, what proof you have, and wh...
Do I have to pay rent listed in an eviction notice if the apartment had no heat for two weeks?
In Alabama, the answer is often not a simple yes or no. In general, a tenant may still receive an eviction notice for unpaid rent even if the apartment had a serious habitability problem like no heat, but the lack of hea...
My landlord is making repairs only during my night-shift sleeping hours. Can I limit access times?
In Washington, a tenant may often ask a landlord to schedule repairs at more reasonable times, especially if the repairs are disrupting sleep or interfering with the tenant’s use of the rental unit. In general, landlords...
Do I have to notify guests that my home security camera records inside the living room?
In Oregon, whether you need to notify guests about an indoor security camera in a living room depends on the facts, especially where the camera is located, what it records, and whether anyone has a reasonable expectation...