Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
What are my rights if maintenance workers installed a camera in my unit without permission?
In Washington, if maintenance workers installed a camera inside your rental unit without your permission, that may raise serious privacy and landlord-tenant concerns. In general, a tenant has a strong expectation of priv...
Do I have to pay rent while my ceiling is leaking and the landlord has ignored three written requests?
In Oregon, a leaking ceiling can be a serious habitability problem, but it usually does not automatically erase the duty to pay rent. In general, tenants are still expected to keep paying rent unless a legally recognized...
Is it legal for a storage unit company to auction my belongings after one missed payment?
In general, a storage unit company in Idaho cannot simply auction a renter’s belongings immediately after one missed payment. Storage companies usually have to follow the rental agreement and Idaho law, and that often in...
Is it legal for a repair shop to charge storage fees without telling me upfront?
In general, a repair shop may be able to charge storage fees, but whether it can do so without telling you upfront often depends on the facts, the repair agreement, local business practices, and Alaska law. A shop’s abil...
What are my rights if my landlord charges me late fees even though I paid on time with proof?
If you paid your rent on time and can prove it, a late fee may be improper under the lease or the facts of the payment history. In general, a landlord should not treat rent as late when it was actually received on time o...
Do I have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing in Washington?
In Washington, you usually do not have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing. These hearings are often handled in civil court, and many people represent themselves. That said, having a lawyer ca...
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...
What happens if the landlord files in court before the notice period is over?
If a landlord files a court case before the required notice period ends, the filing may be premature. In general, that can matter because many eviction or possession cases depend on the landlord first giving proper notic...
My Neighbor Built a Fence Two Feet Onto My Property — What Should I Do?
If a neighbor built a fence onto land you believe is yours, the first step is usually to slow down and gather facts before taking action. In South Carolina, property-line disputes are often resolved by looking at deeds,...
How do I report a hidden camera found in a tanning salon room?
If you find what appears to be a hidden camera in a tanning salon room, the safest general approach is to treat it as a possible privacy and criminal issue and report it promptly. In Minnesota, as in many states, the exa...
What happens if my spouse refuses to sell the house after the divorce agreement says we must?
If a Texas divorce agreement says the house must be sold, a spouse who refuses to cooperate may be violating a court order or a settlement term that was made part of the divorce judgment. In general, that means the other...
What are my rights if a hidden camera recorded me changing clothes at a gym?
If a hidden camera recorded you changing clothes at a gym in Illinois, you may have serious privacy concerns and possibly several legal options, depending on the facts. In general, recording someone in a changing area is...
Can my landlord evict me for smoking outside if the lease only bans smoking indoors?
In Utah, a landlord may sometimes try to enforce a no-smoking rule beyond the exact words of the lease, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, the property rules, and the facts. If the lease only says smok...
Do I have to leave if I received a notice to vacate but no court papers yet?
In general, a notice to vacate does not always mean you have to move out immediately. In Oregon, a notice to vacate is often an early step in the eviction process, but it is usually not the same thing as a court order. I...
Is it legal for a dog owner to refuse to give proof of rabies vaccination?
In Nevada, the answer may depend on who is asking, why they are asking, and whether a local animal control or health rule applies. In general, a dog owner may not have to hand over vaccination records to every private pe...