Q: Won house at auction. I've no title because of liens. Paid deposit. Is it crime to rent house? Or is it just unethical?
Seller was contracted to pay closing and liens. Owner has dementia wife decided to sell 40 properties. Owner has 40000.00 bond on combined forty properties. He was a Bondsman. Taxes are owed for at least two years. I have done lots of work already on house. Have been waiting almost I year, no title. Have heard nothing even when I check with lawer. Is it a crime to rent what I paid deposit to purchase?
A: It is not “unethical.” It is trespass. You don’t own the property until you have a closing and a deed. If it has taken a year since the auction to get there, you are crazy for doing work there. Indeed, you should not be doing work on someone else’s property, though I have known informed buyers to risk minor money — with the permission of the trustee — who decided to preserve the property from fire, theft, or waste. Your work may belong to someone else. You need a lawyer to review the matter.
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