Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can I keep the house in an equitable distribution divorce if the mortgage is only in my spouse’s name?
In California, the fact that the mortgage is only in your spouse’s name does not by itself decide who gets the house in a divorce. California is a community property state, so the court usually looks at when the home was...
Can a contractor demand additional payment after the project is finished?
In general, a contractor may ask for additional payment after a project is finished, but that does not automatically mean the homeowner or customer must pay it. Whether the demand is valid usually depends on the contract...
My Neighbor’s Construction Cracked My Wall — Who Pays for Repairs?
In California, who pays for a cracked wall from a neighbor’s construction usually depends on what caused the damage and who was legally responsible for it. In general, if the construction activity caused the crack, the n...
Is it legal for a dealership to charge a document fee of $899?
In Colorado, a dealership may be able to charge a document fee, but whether an $899 fee is legally allowed depends on several factors, including how the fee is disclosed, what it is for, and whether the dealer is followi...
What are my rights if my car insurance company says my accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate?
If your car insurance company says your accident claim is worth less than the repair estimate, that usually means the insurer is questioning some part of the repair bill, the damage estimate, or the value of the loss. In...
Can I be evicted for keeping an emotional support animal after giving my landlord a doctor’s letter?
In Ohio, a landlord generally cannot evict you simply for having an emotional support animal if the animal is a legally recognized reasonable accommodation for a disability and you gave the landlord proper notice or docu...
What are my rights if a contractor damages my property and refuses to fix it?
If a contractor damages your property and then refuses to correct the damage, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law, depending on the contract, the facts, and the type of damage involved. In general, a c...
My Dentist Billed Me for Work I Never Approved — Can I Dispute It?
Yes, in general, you may be able to dispute a dental bill in Pennsylvania if you were charged for treatment you did not approve, did not receive, or did not understand would be performed. Whether a dispute succeeds often...
Do I have to keep paying my loans while my forgiveness application is under review?
In general, you may still have to keep making payments while a loan forgiveness application is being reviewed, unless the loan program or servicer has placed your account into an approved pause, deferment, forbearance, a...
What happens if a contractor never pulled permits and the city fines me $1,500?
If a contractor did work without pulling the required permits and the city fined you, the homeowner is often the person the city looks to first in New Hampshire. That can be true even if the contractor was the one who fa...
My Storage Unit Auctioned My Stuff After Sending Notices to the Wrong Email — What Can I Do?
If a storage facility auctioned your belongings after sending notices to the wrong email address, there may be legal issues, but the answer depends heavily on the lease terms, the notice method used, and Georgia law. In...
The roofer says the leak is “normal settling” three months after replacement. What can I do?
In Pennsylvania, a roof leak that appears a few months after a replacement may be frustrating, but the right response usually depends on what the contract promised, what the roof was supposed to do, and what evidence exi...
Can a Neighbor Be Liable for Water Runoff Flooding My Yard?
In Oklahoma, a neighbor may sometimes be liable if water runoff from their property is causing flooding in your yard, but the answer usually depends on the facts. The key issues are often where the water is coming from,...
What Can I Do If My Apartment Has Repeated Sewage Backups?
Repeated sewage backups in an apartment can be a serious habitability issue, especially if the problem affects health, safety, or the use of the home. In general, a landlord is usually expected to keep a rental unit in a...
How do I handle an eviction notice when the landlord never gave me a written lease?
In Nebraska, not having a written lease does not necessarily mean a landlord cannot try to evict you. In general, a rental agreement can sometimes be oral or implied from the way you and the landlord have been acting, su...