Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
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...
How do I handle a landlord charging me for utilities I never agreed to?
In North Carolina, the first question is usually whether your lease or another signed agreement actually says you are responsible for those utilities. If the written lease is silent, unclear, or says something different...
How do I file a small claims case in Alabama over a contractor who took my $2,500 deposit?
In Alabama, a small claims case may be one way to ask a court to decide a dispute over a contractor deposit, including a claim involving $2,500. In general, small claims courts are designed for lower-dollar disputes and...
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...
What are my rights if a hotel overcharges me for minibar items I did not use?
If a hotel in Hawaii charges you for minibar items you did not use, you may have the right to dispute the charge and ask the hotel to correct the bill. In general, hotels should bill guests accurately for items actually...
Do I have to pay rent if construction noise makes my apartment unlivable during the day?
In general, a tenant in Louisiana still has to pay rent unless the lease, the landlord, or a court order changes that obligation. Noise from construction can be frustrating and may interfere with daily life, but noise by...
How do I get a refund from a travel booking site that charged me twice for the same hotel room?
If a travel booking site charged you twice for the same hotel room, the first step is usually to gather proof of both charges and contact the booking site right away. In many situations, duplicate charges are billing err...
Can a Store Ban Me After I Disputed a Chargeback?
Yes, a store can often ban a customer after a chargeback, but the answer depends on the facts and the type of business involved. In general, private stores have broad discretion to decide who they will serve, unless a ba...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee to a wedding venue after they changed the date availability?
In Kansas, the answer usually depends on the written contract, the venue’s policies, and the reason the date changed. If the venue changed its own availability and could no longer host your wedding on the agreed date, th...
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...
A package locker malfunctioned and my package disappeared. Is the apartment complex responsible?
In Virginia, an apartment complex may be responsible for a missing package only in some situations, and the answer usually depends on the lease, the property’s rules, who controlled the locker system, and what caused the...
Do I have to pay a roofer the final $2,000 if the city inspection failed?
In general, the answer depends on what your contract says, what work was completed, and why the city inspection failed. A failed inspection does not automatically mean you can withhold the final payment, but it also does...
Do I have to leave by the end of a 30-day notice if I have nowhere else to go?
In Oregon, a 30-day notice usually means the landlord is telling you that the tenancy is ending, but it does not always mean you must move out immediately on day 30 without any further process. In many situations, the la...
What happens if my landlord sold the building and the new owner says my lease no longer counts?
In North Carolina, a sale of rental property does not usually erase a valid lease just because ownership changed. In general, the new owner steps into the shoes of the old landlord and takes the property subject to exist...
Do I Have to Pay a Contractor Who Never Pulled the Required Permit?
In general, a contractor’s failure to pull a required permit can create serious problems, but it does not automatically mean you do not owe any money. In Rhode Island, the answer often depends on the contract language, t...