Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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 are my rights if my landlord is charging $250 for cleaning even though I left the apartment spotless?
If you are in Idaho and your landlord is charging a $250 cleaning fee after move-out, your rights usually depend on your lease, the condition of the apartment, and whether the landlord is taking the charge from a securit...
Can I break my lease if my apartment has repeated flooding every time it rains?
In Maryland, repeated flooding in an apartment may sometimes give a tenant a basis to end a lease, but it depends heavily on the facts. The key question is usually whether the flooding is serious enough to make the home...
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...
Is it legal for my landlord to send an eviction notice by text message only?
In Florida, a landlord’s text message may be a warning or a communication about a rental problem, but it is not always the same thing as a legally effective eviction notice. Whether a text message-only notice is valid us...
How do I handle a warranty company that keeps delaying repairs for months?
If a warranty company keeps delaying repairs for months, the first step is usually to document everything carefully. Keep copies of the warranty, repair requests, inspection notes, emails, text messages, call logs, and a...
Do I have to pay for a repair if the issue came back within a week?
In general, whether you have to pay for a repair that failed again within a week depends on the repair agreement, what was promised, and what caused the problem to return. In Missouri, the first question is usually wheth...
Can I break my lease if there has been mold in the bedroom for three months and my child keeps getting sick?
In New Jersey, mold problems may sometimes support a tenant’s right to end a lease, but it depends on the facts. A lease is not usually broken just because mold exists. The key question is whether the mold and any relate...
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...
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...