Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Is it legal for a landlord to post an eviction notice on my door where neighbors can see it?
In general, a landlord may be allowed to post an eviction notice on your door, but whether that is legally proper depends on the applicable notice rules, the type of notice being used, and the facts of the situation. In...
What happens if I was injured by a loose handrail in a public building?
If you were injured by a loose handrail in a public building in New Hampshire, the situation may involve a premises liability claim, but the exact outcome depends on the facts. In general, a public building owner or oper...
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...
Can my apartment charge me for “valet trash” when I never use it?
In Texas, an apartment can often charge a valet trash fee even if you personally do not use the service, if that charge is part of the lease or other rental agreement you accepted. In general, rental agreements can inclu...
Do I have to pay a contractor if the work failed inspection twice?
In general, maybe—but it depends on what your contract says, what work was actually completed, and why the inspection failed. In West Virginia, the fact that a project failed inspection twice does not automatically mean...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to charge me $85 every month for valet trash I never agreed to?
In Arizona, whether an apartment complex may charge a monthly valet trash fee usually depends on the lease, any addenda, and whether the fee was clearly disclosed before you signed. In general, landlords and property man...
Can I return a used car if the dealer promised it had no accidents but I found a prior salvage record?
In Colorado, a dealer’s promise that a used car had no accidents may matter a lot if you later discover a prior salvage record. In general, a seller’s statements about a vehicle’s history can become important if they wer...
My Car Dealer Sold Me a Vehicle Without a Valid Title — What Are My Options?
If a car dealer in Indiana sold you a vehicle without a valid title, that can create serious problems with ownership, registration, insurance, and resale. In general, a valid title is the document that helps show who own...
Can I withhold rent if the heat has been out since Friday and the temperature inside is 54 degrees?
In Maine, a loss of heat can be a serious habitability problem, and a cold apartment may trigger tenant remedies. But whether you can withhold rent safely usually depends on the lease, the facts, and what steps you have...
Can My HOA Tow My Car Without Warning?
In South Carolina, an HOA may sometimes have the power to tow a vehicle without giving you a personal warning first, but that usually depends on the HOA’s governing documents, community rules, and any applicable state or...
Can a School Charge Me for a Laptop My Child Says Was Stolen?
In general, a school may try to charge a family for a laptop that was issued to a student if the school believes the device was lost, damaged, or not returned as required under school policy. But whether the school can a...
What are my rights if my student loan balance grew by $6,000 during a pause I did not request?
If your student loan balance increased during a pause you did not request, there may be several possible explanations, and your rights can depend on the type of loan, who services it, and whether the pause was required,...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a $150 application fee in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, a landlord may be able to charge an application fee, but whether a $150 fee is legal depends on the facts and on any limits that apply under state or local law. Because no source material was provided for...
What happens if a debt buyer sues me for an old credit card balance from 2017?
If a debt buyer sues you over an old credit card balance from 2017, the first thing to understand is that a lawsuit is serious even if the debt is old. In general, a debt buyer is a company that purchases charged-off deb...
Dry cleaner shrunk an expensive wool coat and offered a $25 credit. Is that all I can get?
In Massachusetts, the answer is usually “it depends.” If a dry cleaner damaged or shrank your wool coat, the amount you may be able to recover often depends on the terms on your claim ticket or receipt, the cleaner’s pol...