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Maryland Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: What shall I do when my neighbor removed the surveyors stake between our properties?
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jul 31, 2021

You might check with both the surveyor, the land records office in the circuit court, or the police. Removal of a surveyor's stake is often a criminal act, though removal is often overlooked if it was out of ignorance, and the surveyor might return, re-place the stake, and send the bill to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: I am the builder of a new home in Prince Georges County Maryland. I am having a horrible time with an overzealous HOA

I am representing a purchaser of a custom to be built home. The lot is within a 50 year old community called Montpelier in Laurel MD 20707. All of the houses with the exception of this one lot was built in the 60's . The association is Montpelier Community Association. They have an... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jul 30, 2021

Your questions says you are "developer," but that you "represent the owner." Regardless, you have a political and legal problem. If you can't negotiate your way through a community organization staffed by non-professionals, you have the legal option of seeking a declaratory... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Lemon Law for Maryland on
Q: "The law does not stand anywhere." Is this a fact of legal theory, or just something with which to hit me on the head

Your statement: The Law does not stand anywhere. Et tu quo que.

Your view of the Law depends upon where you stand; and where you stand depends upon the Laws view of you.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 19, 2021

The law’s view of condo governance is that the condo documents control, except where they don’t. There is no statute on BBQ on the balcony unless it violates fire code, but the condo association MIGHT be able to regulate it… if they did it correctly… which they often don’t.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: I bought the house, and land; not included were two small barns; with underground electric fed from the house.

I bought the house from the ex-wife; the ex-husband apparently owned the two small barns on the small adjoining lot; with shared utilities from the house. I've been told by a realtor that the small lots cannot be separated from the main property in this way by the previous owner divorcees. I... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 19, 2021

The law doesn’t “stand” anywhere. Your presumably discount purchase and closing resolves who owns what. Get a lawyer to read and interpret your deed and then look to the title insurance to defend your deed. If you have neither a recorded deed nor title insurance, your payment of taxes is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: Can Adverse Possession Be Granted By The Clam Of Right And And The Adverse Clam Statement.

Can Adverse Possession Be Granted By The Clam Of Right And And The Adverse Clam Statement. ( Non Non Eminent Non Non Preeminent ) ( Non Eminent Non Preeminent )

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 2, 2021

Your word salad needs a light vinaigrette, because it’s got no relationship to law. Adverse possession has five elements. You haven’t named any of them. There are no clams involved unless you are serving clam chowder or a po’ boy, and I’m guessing it’ll be the latter.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Maryland on
Q: Can my neighbor keep her gate open if it is blocking my driveway. What are my options for relief?

My neighbors fence is partially blocking access to our driveway. We've closed it since it is accessible from our own property, but she continues to open it. What are our options, and what maryland provisions cover this?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on May 27, 2021

I suppose it's a form of trespass. Have you tried talking to your neighbor? If that fails, provide her with written notice not to open her gate across your driveway, which blocks your access in and out of your property. If she does it again, I suppose you can file trespass charges (I doubt... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: to take possesion of my parents land as the sole heir i am out of state can i do an out of state bond? the land is in

alabama and i live in md she did not have a will.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 23, 2021

You need an Alabama estate lawyer. The requirements for a non-resident executor of an estate usually involves appointment of a person in Alabama to act as resident agent for the executor for service of legal papers. Because the estate involves real estate, and you cannot easily travel to Alabama... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: do I HAVE to agree to a free, new well drilled for me (as required by co) so a company can build next door?

I like things the way they are, and can afford to pay for a new well myself should I ever need it.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 6, 2021

I know of no way to generalize to give you decent advice without reviewing the survey, running a title search for easements, and understanding exactly what the developer wants and needs. Generally, however, you do not need to agree with anything on your land unless your neighbor has an easement to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: (Is It A Hate Crime) If The Owner Breaks Into The Land That Is By Adverse Possession. And And Changes The Locks.

Can I File Criminal And Civil Charges Against The Owner Of The Land/Building I Adverse Possess. I Changed All The Locks And Put A New Chain And Lock On The Gate. But The Owner Keeps Breaking In And Changing The Locks. That Is A Hate Crime Based On (Law!) ? And .... ....

Laws & Legal... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 4, 2021

You have got to be kidding, right? First, a hate crime involves "race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or national origin," and you mentioned none of the above. Second, if you are breaking and entering on the property of another, it is you who is: "damag[ing] the real... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Environmental, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Is It Illegal Not To Have Water From The City Regarding Adverse Possession And Is It By The Owner Or The Adverse Possess

I Have No Water And The Owner's Water Is Cut Off Long Sense And $6000 Pass Due I Contacted The City Regarding But Never

A Answer It Regarded Having The Water Bill Put In The Title Name Or My Name Regarding Adverse Possession And And That I Was The Adverse Possesser.

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jan 7, 2021

The solution to your issue depends on your status as an occupier of the land. How did you enter the property? Are you a tenant with a lease? One without a lease? Did the owner invite you? Did you enter via trespass? What is your relation to the owner?

How the water bill is titled is an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: My mom passed in 2015 she had living rights to her sisters property she passed before my mom so my cousin owned it he

Sold the property in late October this year not once over that time did he ask me about it or let me know I had a time frame to get it cleared out I wrote him a week or 2 ago and asked about getting my moms stuff he said it’s gone it went with the house sorry ! I was like why didn’t you let me... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 19, 2020

Your mom passed in 2015, and you never once in 5 years asked about her belongings? The house only sold this past October? I think any court would find you waited too long to assert your rights, and the property left in the house was abandoned. An estate should have been opened for your mother,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Adverse Possession Can A Owner Break Into A Building On The Land And Change The Locks If Not What Would Happen Regarding

A Owner Break Into A Building That I Adverse Possession And Changed The Locks. And A Time A Renter Of A Bissnesses On The Land Of The Same Campus Broke Into The Same Building On The Land And Stole The Water Heater Turned Off The Water/ And Close The Building Up. Also What Are The Owns Rights... View More

Eric Todd Kirk
Eric Todd Kirk pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 7, 2020

The thrust of this question seems to concern property rights, and I would suggest your reposting it under the heading real estate/real property.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Do You Need A Work Permit Regarding Adverse Possession

Or Or Is It Regarding Enment Laws Landlord/ Tenant

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Nov 26, 2020

I'm sorry. This question makes no sense at all. You need to retain someone to help you write a question. I do not understand how the concept of a work permit interconnects with the concept of adverse possession. You need a work permit to perform certain types of work on real estate, and you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Adverse Possession Can You Adverse Possession Two Campuses And And The Whole Two Campuses With Different Buildings.

And And Can The Land Be Just Adverse Possession Regardless Of The Buildings Of The Two Campuses.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Nov 13, 2020

By “campuses,” I’m going to assume you are referring to the common use of the word referring to the collected buildings of a university, college, or other openly used area of property in which a large community collects for an educational or other purpose. If that is so, then you are there... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is Adverse Possession And And Squatting Two Different Things And Is Lottering Trespassing Breaken In Entey ( BNE )

The Same As Or As In Squatting Or Adverse Possession

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 12, 2020

Squatting is a slang term for the legal status of Adverse Possession. Anything to do with Trespassing is not Adverse Possession because the Defendant is cognizant that someone else is entitled to exclusive possession of the premises.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: My back porch can only be reached through a small alley between between our two houses . we have walked this alley for

78 years , recently the house sold and was rented and the renter has blocked us out, do i have right away to my rear porch and yard. i have no other way in except this 4 foot alley?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 27, 2020

It sounds as though you have a "prescriptive easement" based on continuous uninterrupted use, openly and notoriously, for more than 20 years. Alternatively, you may have a right to an easement by necessity, if there is no other way to access the rear of your property (although you could... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: There is a 10 ft driveway between me and my neighbor but my neighbor he is saying this is his area

In my property on the right side there is a 10 ft driveway and also pipe line at the beginning of this 10 ft area this water pipe belongs to my house and it’s on the survey, but now a days my neighbor is using the area as a parking lot for his cars, when I talked to him he said this 10 ft area... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 29, 2020

1. Get a survey.

2. Send him a No Trespass letter to get off your land.

3. Hire a lawyer to get him off your land.

Or,

1. Wait the time in the statute of limitations for adverse possession while doing nothing.

2. Pay a lawyer a ton of money to defend his...
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1 Answer | Asked in Environmental, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in Maryland and have a cement alley that is not maintained by the city. Water leaks into my house; Can I sue?

Hello –

I have water leaking into my city basement home. I have done numerous repairs and attempts to lead the water away from my home but realize that I cannot control this without the city properly maintaining their alley. The cement alley has numerous cracks throughout and has an old... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 12, 2020

You need to start with a title search to determine whether the alley is owned by the city or whether the city merely has an easement to it. You then need to determine who has the duty to maintain, and whether you have the right to make the repair yourself. If the responsibility belongs to the city,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Can You File For Eminent Domain Regarding Government Property

Can You File Eminent Domain In Regards Regards Government Property .....( International Law )

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 8, 2020

You have the concept reversed. Eminent domain is the right of the sovereign to take private land after paying reasonable compensation. It is limited to legitimate public purposes. You can’t exercise eminent domain unless you are a government.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Eminent domain What Regards That Government Has To Pay Just Compensation And And You Have To Pay Just compensation

What Regards That You Don't Have To Pay Just Compensation As A LLC / Individual / Private Company Non Profit Company..... As In Thing That Regard Regard Tax Exempt Is It Just As In That Thing That Regard ( Tax Exempt )

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Apr 9, 2020

Eminent domain is subject to the requirements of local statutes and ordinances that provide the payment formula. There are appraisers that deal with condemnation appraisals. And if you and the condemning authority cannot agree, you can take a case to trial in a circuit court where a jury will set... View More

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