Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
My Neighbor Claims My Fence Is on Their Property — Who Has to Prove It?
In Michigan, the answer usually depends on what kind of dispute this is and what evidence each side has. In a boundary dispute, the person making the claim that the fence is on the wrong property often needs to support t...
What are my rights if an online retailer refuses to refund a returned item worth $300?
If an online retailer refuses to refund a returned item, your rights usually depend on the retailer’s posted return policy, what was promised at checkout, the condition of the item, and whether the retailer actually rece...
What Happens If a Utility Company Bills Me for the Wrong Meter?
If a utility company bills you for the wrong meter, the problem is usually a billing error that may be corrected once it is identified. In general, utilities rely on meter readings, account records, service addresses, an...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge pet fees for a service animal?
In general, a landlord may not charge a pet fee, pet rent, or pet deposit for a true service animal because a service animal is usually not treated as an ordinary pet. Under fair housing rules, assistance animals are com...
How do I handle a notice to quit when I am in a month-to-month rental?
If you are in a month-to-month rental in Iowa and receive a notice to quit, the first step is usually to read it carefully and identify what it is asking you to do. In general, a notice to quit is a written notice that t...
Can a landlord send an old security deposit to the state if they cannot find my forwarding address?
In Ohio, a landlord usually does not simply “send” an old security deposit to the state just because they cannot find a tenant’s forwarding address. In general, the question turns on Ohio landlord-tenant law, what notice...
How do I prove my injury claim if there were no witnesses when I fell?
If no one saw you fall, you may still be able to support an injury claim with other evidence. In general, a claim does not depend on witness testimony alone. People often prove a fall by using medical records, photos, in...
What are my rights if the harassment started after a small claims dispute with a contractor?
If harassment started after a small claims dispute with a contractor in Washington, you may have several legal protections depending on what the other person is doing and how serious the conduct is. In general, people ha...
Does Living With Cats Mean I Accepted Responsibility for Pet Damage?
In general, simply living with cats does not automatically mean you accepted legal responsibility for any pet damage. In New Jersey, as in many places, responsibility usually depends on facts such as who owned the cat, w...
A package locker malfunctioned and my package disappeared. Is the apartment complex responsible?
In Virginia, an apartment complex may be responsible for a missing package only in some situations, and the answer usually depends on the lease, the property’s rules, who controlled the locker system, and what caused the...
My roommate’s boyfriend basically lives here now and won’t chip in for utilities. Can I do anything?
In Colorado, your options usually depend on the lease, any roommate agreement, and who is legally responsible for the utilities. If the boyfriend is not on the lease and not on the utility accounts, he may still be allow...
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 rental car company to charge hidden fees after return?
In general, a rental car company may charge fees after you return the vehicle if the charges were disclosed in the rental agreement, pricing terms, or other contract documents you accepted. The key issue is usually not w...
Do I have to split rental property purchased before marriage but paid from joint funds?
In Rhode Island, the answer is often: maybe, but not automatically. Property bought before marriage is commonly viewed differently from property acquired during marriage, but the way the property was paid for, maintained...
How do I get my $1,200 deposit back from a contractor who never started the job?
If a contractor took a $1,200 deposit and never started the job, you may be able to ask for the money back through a demand letter, direct negotiation, a payment dispute, or a small-claims type court process, depending o...