Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Is it legal for a car dealership to sell me a car that failed inspection the same week?
In New York, the answer usually depends on the facts of the sale, the car’s condition, and what the dealership told you before and during the transaction. In general, a dealership does not automatically act unlawfully ju...
What happens if I paid a contractor in cash and they deny receiving it?
If you paid a contractor in cash and they later deny receiving it, the dispute usually turns on proof. In general, the person claiming payment may need some evidence showing that the money was actually handed over, and t...
Do I have to pay for a service that was not completed as agreed?
In California, whether you have to pay for a service that was not completed as agreed usually depends on the contract, the work that was actually performed, and why the service was not completed. In general, if a provide...
What happens if a contractor overbilled me by $2,000 and won’t correct it?
If a contractor overbilled you by $2,000 and refuses to correct the bill, the main issue is usually whether you can show the charge was actually wrong and that you raised the problem clearly. In general, a billing disput...
A furniture delivery crew scratched the hallway walls. The building billed me. Can I pass that to the store?
In New York, you may be able to ask the store or seller to cover the building’s bill if the damage happened during the furniture delivery and the delivery crew was acting for the store. But the answer usually depends on...
What Are My Rights If a Pawn Shop Lost My Item?
If a pawn shop lost your item in Nebraska, you may have rights based on your pawn contract, store policies, and general state consumer or property law principles. In many situations, the central issue is whether the pawn...
How do I dispute a $980 charge from a hotel that claimed I smoked in a non-smoking room?
If a hotel charged you $980 for allegedly smoking in a non-smoking room, the dispute usually turns on the hotel’s terms, the evidence it has, and whether the charge was authorized. In general, hotels may impose smoking f...
Can a Contractor Demand Full Payment Before Finishing the Job?
In general, a contractor cannot simply demand full payment before finishing the job unless the contract allows it or the parties later agree to a change in payment terms. In Georgia, as in many states, the written contra...
What happens if a dealership adds fees after I agreed on a price?
In general, if a dealership adds fees after you thought you had agreed on a price, the result depends on what was actually agreed to, what was written down, and whether you had already signed a final contract. In South C...
A contractor poured the patio in the wrong size and wants full payment anyway. Do I have to pay?
In general, if a contractor did work that does not match the agreed size or specifications, you may have a basis to dispute full payment. Under basic contract principles, a homeowner usually pays for work that was agreed...
My Roommate’s Cat Ruined My Mattress — Can I Make Them Pay for a Replacement?
In Texas, a roommate may sometimes be responsible if their pet damaged your mattress, but the answer usually depends on the facts. The key questions are who owned the mattress, who caused the damage, whether the roommate...
Can a car dealer change the price after I signed the purchase agreement?
In general, a car dealer may not simply change a signed purchase price just because it later wants a higher amount. A signed purchase agreement usually matters because it can show the terms the parties agreed to, includi...
Do I have to accept store credit if an appliance store delivered the wrong refrigerator?
In general, if an appliance store delivers the wrong refrigerator, you do not automatically have to accept store credit instead of getting the problem corrected. The answer often depends on the sales agreement, the store...
My ex took the furniture we bought together when moving out. Is this theft or civil court?
In Wisconsin, the answer usually depends on ownership, intent, and how the furniture was being used or handled before the move. If both of you owned the furniture together, the situation may be treated as a property disp...
What happens if the person harassing me says their messages are just free speech?
In general, saying “it’s free speech” does not automatically make harassment lawful. Under U.S. law, people have strong speech protections, but those protections are not unlimited. Communications that cross into threats,...