Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can my landlord charge me $500 for repainting after I lived there two years and only had minor scuffs?
In Texas, a landlord may sometimes try to charge a tenant for repainting after move-out, but that does not automatically mean the full amount is proper. In general, a landlord can seek payment for damage beyond ordinary...
Neighbor’s dog keeps getting loose and scratched my car. Can animal control help with property damage?
In Georgia, animal control may be able to help if a neighbor’s dog is repeatedly running loose, creating a nuisance, or violating local animal control rules. Whether animal control can do anything about the car damage it...
Is It Legal for a Company to Auto-Renew My Contract Without Clear Notice?
In general, whether a company can auto-renew your contract without clear notice depends on the contract terms, the type of agreement, and applicable Wyoming law. Many businesses include automatic renewal language in serv...
Do I have to leave after a notice to quit if the landlord has not scheduled a court hearing?
In Alabama, a notice to quit usually does not, by itself, mean you are already evicted. In general, a notice to quit is a landlord’s written demand that you leave the rental unit or fix a lease problem within a stated ti...
Is it legal for a landlord to delay repairs for essential utilities?
In general, a landlord may not be able to delay repairs for essential utilities for long, especially when the problem affects habitability or basic use of the rental unit. Utilities like heat, water, electricity, gas, an...
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...
Can I record a phone call with my landlord if I tell them at the beginning and they keep talking?
In California, the answer is usually no unless the legal recording rules are satisfied. California is generally considered a two-party consent state, which means you often need the other person’s consent before recording...
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Carpet Replacement After Normal Wear?
In Ohio, a landlord usually cannot charge a tenant for carpet replacement just because the carpet is old or worn out from ordinary use. In general, landlords may try to pass on costs only when the carpet was damaged beyo...
What are my rights if a dog bit me while I was delivering food to someone’s house?
If a dog bit you while you were delivering food in Washington, you may have legal rights under personal injury law and possibly workers’ compensation, depending on how you were working and whose dog it was. In general, a...
Can an HOA fine me for weeds in a backyard nobody can see?
In Arizona, an HOA may sometimes fine a homeowner for weeds in a backyard even if neighbors or the street cannot easily see the yard. Visibility is often relevant, but it is not always the only thing that matters. The an...
Is it legal for the dog owner to threaten me for reporting the bite?
In general, no one is allowed to threaten, harass, or intimidate you just because you reported a dog bite. If a dog owner is angry about a report to animal control, the police, a landlord, or another authority, that does...
Can a Landlord Make Me Sign a New Lease With Higher Rent Mid-Term?
In general, a landlord cannot usually force a tenant to sign a new lease in the middle of an existing fixed-term lease just to raise the rent, unless the original lease gives the landlord that right or the tenant agrees...
Is it legal for a store employee to say I cannot take photos of the hazard after I fell?
In general, a store employee may tell you not to take photos, but that does not always mean you have no right to document the scene. In South Dakota, the answer can depend on where you are standing, who owns or controls...
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...
Can Someone Inherit a House That Sits on Land Owned by Another Family Member?
Yes, in general, a person may inherit a house even if the land underneath it is owned by another family member, but the answer depends on how ownership is structured and what the property records say. In Massachusetts, a...