I have had 2 plumbing companies come out and the selling realtor even sent out a contractor that works with him. All the estimates state the work stated was not done and how much it will cost to bring the plumbing up to date. Per the selling realtor the previous owners had spend 20,000- 25,000. The... Read more »
answered on Apr 12, 2023
Dear Failure to Disclose Client: Your claim is for Failure to Disclose". If your contract for the subject purchase was a standard "C.A.R." (California Association of Realtors) then the contractual-prescribed steps you will be REQUIRED to take are as follows: (1) Mandatory Mediation... Read more »
OWNER/BUYER 'A' can sue seller for non-disclosure, Can husband, owner 'B' sue the seller as well?
answered on Jan 31, 2023
Dear Failure to Disclose Claimants: You asked if "owner B" has a right to join a claim against a Seller for a claim of non-disclosure. The first part of the analysis is quite straightforward: was Owner B a co-purchaser ? more particularly did Owner B sign the Purchase Contract ? In... Read more »
I quote flooring installs in California, find someone to do the job (not my company or employees), charge a percentage of the job for finding a floorer to do the job and make sure the job is done right. I'm not a contractor or anything like that. I just connect homeowners with service... Read more »
answered on Jan 24, 2023
Dear Flooring Installation "Manager": This will not be a sugar-coated reply, and so for that I apologize; however, the conduct that you have described violates California State License Law as you are operating as a contractor without a license. "Finding someone to do the... Read more »
I was served a lis pendens for something my contractor told me I didn't need to pay for. The manufacturer of the solar panels served me for non-payment, but I was advised by my contractor not to worry. I want to hire someone to protect myself and my house
answered on Jan 17, 2023
Dear Client with recorded Lis Pendens: To answer the question "what kind of lawyer" that you need, the answer is: a construction litigation lawyer. I am concerned on your behalf when you mention that the Solar Panel supplier "served me for non-payment" - this connotes that... Read more »
I only signed contract with the contractor and he is bankrupt now. what should I do?
answered on Jan 10, 2023
Dear Owner with Subcontractor Lien: The threshold question for proper legal analysis pertaining to the Subcontractor is whether or not the subcontractor sent to you, or tried to send to you, a certified mailing containing the proper notice that is required prior to recordation of a lien (it's... Read more »
Hi, I am a landlord with a tenant who is trying to claim $20K of personal property damages after I hired a licensed/contracted roofer to do work. They are saying that the dust broke their computer and damaged some worn shoes. The roofers are trying to deny responsibility, but they did not require... Read more »
answered on Nov 14, 2022
Dear Landlord regarding Tenant Claim about dust intrusion: The tenant's claim is one for negligence, and goes something like this: it was reasonably foreseeable for the roofing contractor to know or reasonable should know that their construction work would result in dust intrusion and... Read more »
to mandatory, binding arbitration.
The Contractor is stating I still owe him the balance on the contract so he will not fix any issues until that is paid. The CSLB states that the same issues should not be filed in a civil suit but the Contractor has now filed a civil suit in Superior... Read more »
answered on Nov 14, 2022
CSLB Claim vs. Civil Suit: Your first inquiry is whether the construction contract has Arbitration as a dispute mechanism - if it does, within 30 days of service of the Civil Suit you should file a "Motion to Stay" the civil suit grounded on the argument that the parties are... Read more »
installation. Can I encourage the client use whoever I suggest? How does this work?
answered on Jul 11, 2022
Dear Franchise Owner: You asked about the protocol for your achieving a desired outcome of having your customers use your licensed contractors for the installation. If I can presume that you are selling BOTH the product AND the installation, then the answer os fairly straightforward: in your... Read more »
We have a major rebuild for which we have a construction loan. Our contractor rarely comes by our job site and the project is run primarily by his crew. There are many parts that have been poorly constructed. Including support beams that hold up our new roof. His invoices are emails that demand... Read more »
answered on May 12, 2022
Dear Major Rebuild With Contractor Troubles: these types of situations are tricky, and it's nearly impossible in this forum to issue out a set of instructions to you (this, from a 35 year attorney who is a developer and a licensed Contractor). You have overlays of Contractor's... Read more »
In Humboldt County, California, my daughter and son-in-law are about to divorce. They haven't filed yet. My son-in-law would like to stop making his half of mortgage payments immediately (they have separate bank accounts), and receive what is thought to be his half of the current equity in... Read more »
answered on Apr 25, 2022
Dear Property Split Questioner: Certainly a competent attorney could draft the Agreement that addresses the splitting of the equity in the house and the other particulars as to manner of division between these parties. However, the biggest challenge to the expressed "goal" of either/both... Read more »
We bought home in December and easement was stated in our paperwork. The neighbor has prior history of harassing previous owners and we thought we would be different by trying to create friendship but this is not the case. She is now harassing my son. How do I null this easement and create a drive... Read more »
answered on Apr 18, 2022
Dear Easement Issue Owner: This issue is too "heady" for a brief reply on this forum. While we have MANY qualified attorneys whom participate in the JUSTIA system, I don't think any of us can make a thoughtful response to this issue without MUCH MORE information/documents/history.... Read more »
After project completion contractor want to charge extra for changes made during construction to meet code. The agreement states that "Any additions, alterations, or deviation to this proposal involving extra costs, will be executed only upon written orders and will become an additional... Read more »
answered on Apr 16, 2022
Dear Owner Facing Post-Performance Claim for Extra Contractual Payment: Your question has two areas of focus, the issue of a post-performance claim for Extra Payment and the potential pursuit of indemnity for the extra charges as against your Design Professionals. First, with regard to the issue... Read more »
Is that contract still valid?
answered on Mar 3, 2022
Dear Inherited Property Owner: You asked if predecessor's contract for services (in this instance Property Management Services) is binding upon the heirs. The only way to answer this question is to examine the underlying contract entered into by your predecessors. If there is no contract,... Read more »
I hired my broker based on his expertise with first time home buyers. My inspector sent an email to both me and my agent warning that the unit had no a/c despite the online and MLS listings. I never saw the email, and my agent sent me a text telling me the inspection came out "pretty... Read more »
answered on Feb 28, 2022
Dear Purchaser: Your inquiry has to do with real estate negligence or malfeasance.
As to BUYER AGENT: if it were the case where you were NOT sent the Inspector's Report from your Agent or your Inspector, you would have an argument. However, insofar as the Agent will be able to show... Read more »
Can you have unusual terms in a promissory note such as 50-year-length amortization (most common being 30 years)? Are there any legal requirements around the terms of the promissory note or they can be creative as long as both parties agree to it?
answered on Jan 26, 2022
Dear PROMISSORY NOTE drafter: There are no required terms for a lawful promissory note, per se. There are, however, terms that would be advisable to include in EVERY promissory note.
business exist for 16 years at the same location. we behind 3 month and continue making payments. Landlord treating to file a law suit for a personal judgment. Personal Credit will be ruined. Specially now / Covid -19, California.
answered on Jan 25, 2022
Dear Commercial Tenant: You asked if a Commercial Landlord can pursue recovery when a Commercial Tenant is "behind three months" on rent. The answer is that irrespective of commercial setting or residential setting, a Landlord may pursue recovery for back rent (including a lawsuit if... Read more »
Worked as Unlicensed Contractor, and printed disclaimers/disclosures of "NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR" on all Quotes and Invoices. The Plaintiff/Customer claims he was unaware that we weren't licensed. Sent customer 3 quotes and 3 invoices all with the disclosure printed on them. I... Read more »
answered on Jan 10, 2022
Dear Unlicensed Contractor: You asked if you can "be sued for fraud" for having operated without a license despite placing "disclosures" of such on your invoices. Unfortunately, making "disclosures" on your paperwork does not obviate the requirement that you have... Read more »
answered on Dec 12, 2021
Dear Repair Tradesperson: The scenario you identify is a typical Contractor-Subcontractor arrangement, whereby you (Contractor) obtain the project and subcontract it out. There are some nuances regarding licensure and what was placed in writing between you and the Owner, but without that... Read more »
The buyers sent an offer to the sellers through their agent. The sellers sent a counteroffer. The buyers agreed to the counteroffer and signed the contract. The buyers agent sent the signed contract to the sellers agent via email.
The following day, the seller verbally told their agent... Read more »
answered on Nov 22, 2021
Dear Buyer of "cancelled" Purchase Contract: The moment the Buyer delivers an executed Counter-Offer a BINDING CONTRACT FOR SALE is formed. Seller will try and position that the "delivery" was not effective because Seller's Agent failed to look at her email. Buyer will... Read more »
I have extended his closing date many, many times but he has not deposit any funds in the escrow company. He has an attorney and every time we ask for the money, he keeps saying that he is going to file a lawsuit against the seller, realtor, and escrow company. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR ATTORNEYS... Read more »
answered on Oct 4, 2021
Seller Seeking Earnest Money: In a standard California Real Estate Contract you are FIRST required to seek resolution by filing for Mediation before either party can resort to litigation. Mediation is reasonably costed and does not technically require that you engage an attorney to represent you.... Read more »
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
