Angela Martin holds a law degree and works as a property-law educator and editorial reviewer, focused on the everyday law of owning and renting a home: landlord-tenant rules, leases, zoning, HOAs, eminent domain, and land use. She writes and reviews HousesLaw’s legal explanations to keep them accurate, current, and honest about how much the answer depends on your state. Angela is a non-practicing attorney: her articles are legal information, not legal advice, and reading them creates no attorney-client relationship. She separates the general rule from local law and says plainly when an issue is unsettled. Laws vary by state; consult a licensed attorney.