A co-owner, former partner or relative will not cooperate

More real estate and housing situations

• Closing costs or loan terms changed Compare the final disclosures with earlier estimates and ask for explanations before closing.
• The landlord wants a large deposit or extra fees The label on a charge does not necessarily determine whether it is lawful or counts toward a cap.
• There is no heat, hot water or a dangerous condition Report emergencies immediately and document ordinary repair requests in writing.
• My landlord changed the locks or shut off utilities A landlord generally cannot use self-help to evict a residential tenant. Seek prompt emergency housing/legal assistance.
• I received a foreclosure complaint or sale notice Treat the legal case and loss-mitigation application as separate tracks with separate deadlines.
• An eviction officer is scheduled or I missed housing court This is urgent. Obtain the actual order and enforcement date and seek immediate legal review.
• Can I stop paying rent or pay for repairs myself? Get local advice before withholding, deducting, or redirecting rent; available remedies have legal requirements and risks.
• There is a title, lien or boundary problem Obtain the actual recorded documents, survey, and title information before deciding what rights exist.

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