Real Estate, Housing & Construction
Browse published legal information questions related to Real Estate, Housing & Construction.
Do I have to pay for replacement value or repair cost in a Minnesota property damage case?
In Minnesota property damage cases, the amount at issue is often whether damages are measured by repair cost, replacement value, or another measure of loss. In general, the answer depends on the type of property, the ext...
Our upstairs neighbor’s bathtub leaked into our closet and ruined clothes. Do we deal with them or the landlord?
In Illinois, the answer is usually that you may need to deal with both, but for different reasons. If the leak came from an upstairs neighbor’s bathtub, that neighbor may be the person connected to the source of the wate...
My Car Was Repossessed With My Personal Belongings Inside — How Do I Get Them Back?
If your car was repossessed in Georgia and your personal belongings were still inside, the lender or repossession company usually must allow you a reasonable opportunity to recover non-car items. In general, a repossessi...
Can a store use hidden cameras in dressing rooms to prevent shoplifting?
In Ohio, a store generally should not place hidden cameras in a dressing room or other area where a customer has a strong expectation of privacy. Dressing rooms are usually treated as private spaces, and secretly recordi...
Can my landlord charge me for replacing blinds that broke due to normal wear and tear?
In general, a landlord in Missouri may be able to charge a tenant for damage that goes beyond ordinary use, but not for normal wear and tear. Whether broken blinds count as wear and tear or tenant-caused damage usually d...
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...
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...