Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
What are my rights if I was injured by a falling ceiling tile in my rental apartment?
If you were injured by a falling ceiling tile in an Illinois rental apartment, you may have legal rights under several different areas of law, depending on what caused the tile to fall and who was responsible for the con...
Can I Stop Paying Rent If Mold Is Making Me Sick?
In Pennsylvania, mold problems can be serious, especially if they may be affecting your health. But in general, a tenant should not assume that mold automatically allows them to stop paying rent. Rent withholding can cre...
What Happens If a Company Refuses to Honor a Written Price Quote?
In general, if a company gives you a written price quote and later refuses to honor it, the situation may turn on what the quote said, whether it was meant to be binding, and what other communications or documents were e...
Can my landlord make me pay for professional carpet cleaning if the lease only says “clean”?
In Minnesota, the answer usually depends on the exact lease language, the condition of the carpet when you move out, and any other written move-out rules or addenda that are part of the lease. If the lease only says you...
What happens if my spouse bought a motorcycle during marriage but titled it in a friend’s name?
In Louisiana, a motorcycle bought during marriage may still be treated as a marital asset even if the title is in a friend’s name. Title is important evidence, but it is not always the only thing a court may look at when...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...
How do I handle a landlord who is charging me for water bills from before I moved in?
If a landlord is trying to make you pay water bills from before you moved in, the first question is whether your lease clearly says you are responsible for those charges. In general, a landlord usually cannot shift earli...
My roommate changed the WiFi password even though I pay half. Is that a legal issue?
In general, a roommate changing the WiFi password can be more of a housing or relationship dispute than a clear legal problem, but it may become a legal issue depending on how the internet service is set up, who is the a...
Do I Owe Rent If My Apartment Had No Heat for Two Weeks?
In Michigan, a two-week loss of heat can be a serious habitability problem, but it does not automatically mean you can stop paying rent without risk. In general, tenants still owe rent unless a legal remedy applies, and...
Can a landlord remove amenities like the pool and gym but keep charging the same rent?
In Texas, a landlord may sometimes change or discontinue amenities such as a pool, gym, clubhouse, or other shared features while still charging the same rent, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the advertising...
Do I Have to Pay a Contractor Who Never Pulled the Required Permit?
In general, a contractor’s failure to pull a required permit can create serious problems, but it does not automatically mean you do not owe any money. In Rhode Island, the answer often depends on the contract language, t...
Can my landlord in Alabama evict me with only a handwritten note taped to my door?
In general, a landlord in Alabama usually cannot complete an eviction just by taping a handwritten note to your door. A handwritten note may be a warning, a request to leave, or an informal attempt to communicate, but ev...
Is it legal for my spouse to remove jewelry and collectibles from the home before appraisal?
In Arkansas, the answer usually depends on what the items are, who owns them, and whether a divorce or separation is already underway. If the jewelry or collectibles are marital property, a spouse generally may not treat...
Do I have to move out by the date written on a notice taped to my apartment door?
In New York, a notice taped to your apartment door does not automatically mean you have to move out by that date. In general, a landlord or other party usually must follow the proper legal process before a tenant can be...
A moving company is holding my belongings because they say the weight was higher than estimated. What now?
If a moving company in Florida is holding your belongings because it says the shipment weighed more than the estimate, the situation often turns on the contract, the estimate, the final bill, and the mover’s payment rule...