Peaceful residents often have to live by a set of neighborhood rules. Homeowner associations are in charge of enforcing these seemingly arbitrary edicts. The moment board members suspect you are responsible for a violation, a fine heads your way. You might take issue...
Why would someone want a partition lawsuit?
Anyone who shares ownership of a property may someday be subject to a partition action. A partition action occurs when two co-owners cannot agree on the future of their property. This type of lawsuit forces a property sale so owners can split the profits. Equal...
Condo defect lawsuits may pit residents against each other
The Champlain Towers South collapse is one of the most high-profile condo defect cases in recent years. This complicated case, which involves 98 deaths and millions of dollars in damages, highlights issues that may pit residents against each other. What are some of...
What you need to know about party wall agreements
If you intend to purchase a condo, rowhouse, apartment or office complex, you are undoubtedly going to have to deal with party walls. These are simply the shared walls between two or more units that have separate owners or renters. In most cases, party wall agreements...
Are you handling tenants’ security deposits correctly?
The law in Washington D.C. that regulates how landlords handle tenants’ security deposits can be somewhat confusing. It’s relatively common for landlords to unknowingly violate the law and suffer unfortunate legal consequences. If you are planning to charge a tenant...
What to expect when facing foreclosure in Maryland
If you cannot afford to pay your mortgage, the lender has the right to foreclose on your home loan. That means the bank will take the property because of nonpayment according to the terms of your mortgage. You may have legal recourse if you have concerns about...
Five costly construction defects that can impose financial harm
Construction projects can take months of planning to get off the ground and require significant investments of time and money to start. In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, a developer may have to work through a number of real property legal issues related to...
Understanding rent laws in Washington, D.C.
The timely payment of rent is the most fundamental tenant responsibility and the primary reason that landlords rent out property. Washington, D.C. has legal requirements governing rent which can dictate which party will prevail in landlord tenant disputes. Rent...
When can you sue for condo defects?
When you purchase a new construction condominium, you expect a problem-free experience and a home or investment you can enjoy for years to come. Unfortunately, if the builder poorly supervised construction or cut corners on labor or materials, you could end up with a...
How do I evict my tenant?
You worked long and hard to buy your house, and now you want to rent it out for extra income. You may use the money to supplement your retirement plan or to maintain other rental properties. You lease the property to a tenant you believe will pay the rent on time and...
