Legal

Only AAOA Pro, Pro Plus and VIP Members are able to access legal cases.

Landlord-Tenant Law

Human Rights Commission v. Durkee July 14, 2026

A landlord leased a rental property unit to a tenant, who later filed a complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC), alleging discrimination in violation of the Vermont Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act (VFHPAA). The HRC, acting on

Real Estate Board of New York, Inc. v. The City of New York July 13, 2026

A coalition of trade associations, real estate brokerage firms, landlords, and related entities challenged New York City’s Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act (FARE Act), passed in November 2024. The Act prohibits brokers from charging tenants fees for apartments where

Estate of Tosch v. Kahle July 7, 2026

The case involved a dispute over a residential property in Trego, Montana, formerly owned by Florence Tosch. Tosch had divorced her husband Jack McCafferty and, per their decree, was given the right to occupy the property, with the agreement that

Kapneck 14-16 v. Breezy’s Speakeasy July 1, 2026

A commercial landlord leased space to a tenant operating a beer and wine store. Under the lease, the tenant was responsible for base rent plus a variety of other charges—such as utilities, real estate taxes, late fees, and attorneys’ fees—which

Kosel Equity, LLC v. MacGregor July 1, 2026

The plaintiff landlord leased an apartment to the defendant tenant with a concession addendum allowing a reduced monthly rent. After the landlord sought to raise the rent, the tenant filed a fair rent complaint with the Middletown Fair Rent Commission

Real Estate & Property Law

Appeal of Murray July 15, 2026

The case concerns a property dispute in Hampstead, New Hampshire, where the owners of a non-conforming lakefront cottage sought a special exception from the zoning ordinance to add a second story to their seasonal residence. Because their lot is smaller

Wells Fargo Bank, Natl. Assn. v. Doberdruk July 15, 2026

Wells Fargo Bank initiated a foreclosure action against Grace Doberdruk, alleging default on a promissory note secured by a mortgage. After both parties filed motions for summary judgment, the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas granted Wells Fargo’s motion, denied

Sunpin Energy Services, LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Petersham July 15, 2026

Sunpin Energy Services, LLC and Ralph P. Lapinkas, Jr. sought to construct a large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system on a parcel of undeveloped, mostly forested land in Petersham, Massachusetts. Because the proposed site was outside the town’s designated solar electric

Baltimore XV Props. V. Newsteps’ Choice N. July 14, 2026

A homeowners association obtained a money judgment against a homeowner for unpaid assessments and placed a levy on the homeowner’s property. The homeowner did not satisfy the judgment prior to a sheriff’s auction, and the property was sold to a

Carlton v. Avagyan July 14, 2026

Two neighboring property owners became embroiled in a dispute when the plaintiffs, who reside at 141 Post Road in Warwick, Rhode Island, began experiencing persistent and disruptive noises from the adjacent property at 175 Post Road, owned by the defendants.