Murrysville, PA asked in Real Estate Law for Maine

Q: Without my consent or knowledge someone built a complete house on my property in Belfast, MA. Who owns it now ?

Purchased 10 acres of land 17 years ago for a future retirement home I plan to build in 4 years. I live in PA currently. I've been paying taxes on the land for 17 years. Someone built an entire home on my property just feet from the property line.

Once the builder and hopeful homeowner found out their mistake the homeowners mortgage application was rejected. The hopeful homeowners do not own the house yet and do not own the land it sits on, but decided to move in anyway. Who owns the completed house now in the eyes of Maine law ?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
Answered
  • Yarmouth, ME
  • Licensed in Maine

A: The folks who built the home own the home, but they are trespassing on your property, so you would have the ability to bring a lawsuit seeking to compel them to move the home off your property and restore your property to the condition it was in prior to them building the home. Another possible option you would have would be to sell these folks part of your property, sufficient to make their home a legal dwelling where it sits.

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