Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Can I Sue My Roommate for Leaving Unpaid Rent?
In general, a roommate dispute over unpaid rent is a contract and shared-housing issue, not a criminal matter. In Massachusetts, whether you may be able to bring a civil claim usually depends on how the housing arrangeme...
What are my rights if I got an eviction notice even though I have receipts showing rent was paid?
In Illinois, getting an eviction notice after you believe you paid your rent can be stressful, but the notice does not automatically mean you must leave right away. In general, a landlord still has to follow the legal ev...
Apartment management lost my rent money order and says I’m late. How do I prove I paid?
If apartment management says your rent is late because it lost your money order, the key issue is usually proof. In general, a tenant may need to show that the rent was actually delivered or cashed, or at least that paym...
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...
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 are my rights if a neighbor keeps recording my children in the yard and yelling insults?
In Washington, you may have several possible legal concerns if a neighbor repeatedly records your children in your yard and yells insults at you or them. In general, this kind of conduct can raise issues involving harass...
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...
Is it legal for a landlord to serve an eviction notice through a maintenance worker?
In general, a landlord may be able to use another person to deliver an eviction notice, but whether that service is legally valid depends on the rules that apply in the specific jurisdiction and on the facts of the deliv...
My Neighbor Claims My Fence Is on Their Property — Who Has to Prove It?
In Michigan, the answer usually depends on what kind of dispute this is and what evidence each side has. In a boundary dispute, the person making the claim that the fence is on the wrong property often needs to support t...
A repair shop wiped my laptop during a battery replacement. Can I claim lost files?
If a repair shop wiped your laptop during a battery replacement, you may have a possible claim for the lost files and any related losses, but the outcome usually depends on the facts. In Washington, the most important is...
What happens if my parked car was hit in my apartment lot and the complex has camera footage?
If your parked car was hit in an apartment lot in New Hampshire and the complex has camera footage, that footage may help show what happened, who was involved, and whether the other driver can be identified. In general,...
How do I handle an eviction notice when my roommate is the one who violated the lease?
If you live in North Carolina and your roommate violated the lease, an eviction notice can still affect you even if you did not cause the problem. In general, what happens next depends on the lease terms, who signed the...
Is it legal for a landlord in Alabama to keep my security deposit for normal carpet wear?
In general, a landlord in Alabama usually should not keep a security deposit just because carpet shows normal wear from ordinary use. Security deposits are commonly used to cover unpaid rent, lease violations, or damage...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from my assigned apartment space?
In Tennessee, a towing company may be allowed to tow a car from an apartment space that is assigned to a tenant, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the parking rules, the signage, the apartment community’s towi...
Can My Landlord Require Professional Cleaning Even If the Lease Doesn’t Say So?
In general, a landlord may expect a rental unit to be returned in a reasonably clean condition, but that does not always mean the landlord can require professional cleaning if the lease does not say so. In Minnesota, the...