Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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...
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...
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...
What happens if my spouse claims all household furniture is theirs because they paid for it?
In New Hampshire, a spouse saying they paid for all of the household furniture does not always end the issue. In general, who paid for an item is one factor, but it may not be the only factor that matters. Furniture used...
The moving company broke my TV but their claim form says they owe pennies per pound. Can they do that?
In general, a moving company may try to limit how much it pays for damaged household goods, including a TV, through the contract or claim paperwork. A “pennies per pound” statement usually means the company is relying on...
Is it legal for a dog owner to refuse to give proof of rabies vaccination?
In Nevada, the answer may depend on who is asking, why they are asking, and whether a local animal control or health rule applies. In general, a dog owner may not have to hand over vaccination records to every private pe...
Do I have to pay for services that were performed incorrectly and caused more damage?
In California, the answer is often “it depends.” If a service provider performed work incorrectly and caused additional damage, you may have arguments that you should not have to pay the full amount, or that you may be e...
What are my rights if my landlord refuses to fix a broken AC during a heatwave for 10 days?
In Illinois, tenants often ask whether a landlord must repair a broken air conditioner quickly during extreme heat. In general, the answer depends on the lease, the habitability conditions in the unit, local housing rule...
What are my rights if a new owner gives me an eviction notice right after buying the building?
In Illinois, a new owner does not automatically erase a tenant’s rights just because the property was sold. In general, if you already had a lawful right to live in the unit under a lease or other rental agreement, that...
What are my rights if my landlord recorded our maintenance dispute and posted part of it online?
In Illinois, your rights may depend on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what the landlord posted online. In general, a landlord is not automatically allowed to record private conversations or publish th...
Can I withhold rent if my landlord does not fix a leaking ceiling?
In Illinois, you may be tempted to stop paying rent if your landlord does not fix a leaking ceiling, but that can be risky. In general, tenants do not want to assume they can simply withhold rent without understanding th...
My Apartment Flooded From the Unit Above — Who Pays for My Damaged Furniture?
In Illinois, the answer usually depends on what caused the flood, who may have been negligent, and what insurance coverage is available. If water came from the unit above, the upstairs tenant, the upstairs landlord, the...
Do I have to call the police if I discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental?
If you discover a hidden camera in an Airbnb rental in New York, you generally are not legally required in every situation to call the police just because you found it. But in many cases, contacting law enforcement may b...
What are my rights if my neighbor’s tree fell and damaged my car during a storm?
If your neighbor’s tree fell on your car during a storm in Washington, your rights often depend on why the tree fell and who may be legally responsible for the damage. In general, a storm alone does not automatically mak...
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Replacing Appliances That Were Already Old?
In Wisconsin, a landlord may be able to charge a tenant for appliance damage in some situations, but the answer usually depends on why the appliance needed replacement, what the lease says, and whether the appliance was...