Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I sue a business if I found a hidden camera in a restroom stall?
If you found a hidden camera in a restroom stall, there may be civil legal claims against the business, the person who installed the camera, or both, depending on the facts. In Virginia, as in many states, a restroom is...
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 accept a replacement item instead of a refund from an online seller?
In general, whether you have to accept a replacement item instead of a refund depends on the seller’s return policy, the payment method, the contract terms, and the facts of the sale. In Arizona, as in many states, the a...
Can I Still Receive an Inheritance if My Name Has Changed?
In general, a name change does not by itself stop you from receiving an inheritance. If you are the person named in a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or intestacy paperwork, the estate or financial institution usua...
Can my landlord charge late fees that were never written in the lease?
In general, a landlord may have a harder time charging a late fee if the lease does not say a late fee exists, does not explain how it is calculated, or does not clearly allow the landlord to add it later. In Alabama, as...
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...
Can a landlord remove amenities like the pool and gym but keep charging the same rent?
In Texas, a landlord may sometimes change or discontinue amenities such as a pool, gym, clubhouse, or other shared features while still charging the same rent, but the answer usually depends on the lease, the advertising...
Is it legal for an apartment complex to charge a monthly package handling fee I never agreed to?
In general, whether an apartment complex in Vermont can charge a monthly package handling fee you never agreed to depends on the lease, any later addenda or policy updates, and how the fee was disclosed. If the fee was i...
Can my landlord charge me for breaking a lease if I left because of repeated flooding?
In New Hampshire, a landlord may sometimes try to charge a tenant for breaking a lease after the tenant leaves because of repeated flooding. But whether those charges are enforceable usually depends on the lease, the con...
Can My HOA Fine Me for Parking in My Own Driveway Overnight?
In Arizona, an HOA may be able to fine a homeowner for overnight parking in a driveway if the HOA’s recorded rules, covenants, or community parking restrictions allow that kind of enforcement. The key issue is usually no...
Do I have to go to court if I already moved out after receiving an eviction notice?
If you already moved out after receiving an eviction notice in South Carolina, that may reduce the need for an eviction hearing in some situations, but it does not always end the case. In general, once a landlord starts...
Do I have to pay a restocking fee when returning a defective appliance within three days?
In general, a restocking fee may depend on the seller’s return policy, the sales contract, and whether the appliance was actually defective. If an appliance is defective, many consumers assume a restocking fee should not...
How do I respond to a cure-or-quit notice for having too many guests?
If you received a cure-or-quit notice in Massachusetts because your landlord says you have too many guests, the first step is usually to read the notice carefully and keep a copy. A cure-or-quit notice is generally a wri...
Is it legal for a landlord to require renters insurance after the lease has already started?
In Ohio, a landlord may be able to require renters insurance after a lease has already started, but the answer usually depends on the lease language, any later agreement between the parties, and general Ohio contract and...
Is it legal for a landlord to refuse to renew my lease because I complained about noise?
In New York, a landlord may sometimes decide not to renew a lease for reasons that are not illegal, even if a tenant previously complained about noise. But the answer can depend heavily on the type of housing, the reason...