Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Maryland Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Hi, Md. gen. family partnership wants to trans. land into an LLC, said LLC to be owned by two corps.

Two corps. owned by same family members in same percentages.

LLC would be owned by corps., not the exact same people, but those same people own same respective percentage of shares.

Does partnership have to consolidate or dissolve?

What exceptions to transfer and recordation... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jun 16, 2023

Most real estate lawyers should be able to assist with such a transfer and the applicable deed affidavits and forms.

The transfer you describe (from a general partnership to 2 corporations owned by different owners than the general partnership) sounds like it would be subject to...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: We have odd neighbours that walk and drive on a shared easement through our backyard many times a day. What can we do?

Hi we live on a plot with several acres of land. However an easement was created on our land back in the 1960’s as a back access to our neighbors plot. Before either house was built. Decided between friends I believe. This easement unfortunately runs through our backyard and close to our house,... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 17, 2023

You will need to do some more research or provide more facts, preferably in private with counsel. (1) How is the easement worded and recorded in the land records? (2) What was the actual purpose or circumstances under which the easement was first created--i.e., was it created "by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: Who fixes dryer vent? Can HOA bill for uncompleted work? Is HOA responsible for damages caused by delay & violation?

Mold/mildew caused by dryer vented to inside. I was not informed of it at purchase and I found out its against building code while researching this. Contractor came 4 times in 2 year period. I had to keep asking. Holes cut in wall for inspection by their contractor have not been repaired. I'm... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 12, 2023

The answer will depend on who owns what in your condo or HOA, who was responsible for the construction flaw, and who knew of the defect and concealed it. Unless the repair is worth less than the cost of the legal involvement, you may want to have the HOA docs, the advertising and closing docs, and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: My ex-girlfriend and I own a house together. She lives there I do not. The mortgage is only my name.

My question can I have her buy me out so I no longer have any financial obligation. What is the best method for this? My thought was to get the house appraised then sell it to her. She would get a discount since half the equity is hers. So I would sell the house to her for (current balance) +... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 9, 2023

This happens in divorces all the time, with one spouse buying the other out by refinancing the property in their own name for enough money to both pay off the existing mortgage and pay the buyout amount to the other spouse. Typically you would enter into a written agreement regarding the... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Maryland on
Q: Hello, I am attempting to make sense of what rights I may have as tenants in common with my brother in my fathers's Will

In the Will, he states, "I give and devise unto my wife my real estate [home address] for the remainder of her natural life, or until she shall decide to reside elsewhere on a permanent basis, or until she shall remarry...she shall pay all maintenance cost, insurance, and property taxes at her... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jun 5, 2023

Hi and thanks for posting a real estate question.

The first variable is whether your father's wife is still living. This appears to be a life estate to your father's wife, with the life estate ending if the life tenant moves out or remarries.

You describe a position...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Internet Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I take legal action against HABC.org (Housing Authority of Baltimore City) for False Advertisement?

I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program. I begin working with the program and due to their own continuous mistakes... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 1, 2023

You want to retain a lawyer to file a suit against what is either a government agency or a public-private partnership which might have a regulatory layer that requires some specialization, and the amount of your lawsuit will be for $3,000. Is that right? The non-refundable retainer from counsel in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: I live in a private neighborhood and an individual who is not a resident stores his vehicles infront of my property 24/7

Minimum of 1 car but up to 3. They are left there from 1 week up to 4 months. The roads are owned by the county not the HOA. So far all I can do is have them tagged as abandoned at which time the owner is notified and moves the car for 1 day and then returns it. I have to believe this is illegal... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 29, 2023

You might need to hit the books better or retain someone who can. I recall reading something that limited parking on public roads to a time limit unless the road was adjacent to your home, but it might have been Montgomery County Code. The County and incorporated city codes are often unindexed and... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Internet Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can I take legal action against HABC.org (Housing Attorney of Baltimore City) for False Advertisement?

I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program with HABC (Housing Authority of Baltimore City). I begin working with the... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on May 28, 2023

Take them to small claims court and good luck. You need to consult an attorney in your local area that practices this kind of law. Thank you for using Justia Ask a Lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I am a new real estate agent serving Maryland. Is the use of the word “Realty” prohibited in my business name?

I am a new real estate agent. Got my license back in March 2022 but am just now actively pursuing real estate. Currently a solo agent at Samson Properties serving Maryland only but would like to get licensed in DC and VA as well.

As advised I’ve created an LLC (Carla Clemente Realty)... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on May 26, 2023

Welcome to the Club! I am also a licensed Maryland Broker, and our Law Firm owns a separate brokerage.

You may use the word "Realty" in your entity name. Review the ethics rules of your local, State and National associations for how you may portray yourself. For instance, you mut...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: I have a deed that shows restrictions of covenants from 1950s. Are these law binding today if nothing has been filed?

No cutting of shrubs, house has to be finished in a year. No commercial or business use are some items. We are a non hoa neighborhood but are a civic association

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 20, 2023

I've had a couple of those cases, and it really depends on what the covenant says and, sometimes, how the caselaw interprets events like the abandonment of a civic association, There is no way to avoid a legal review other than to make whatever assumptions you like best and then pay more if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: HelloHoa has a clause in place preventing legal action can I still file lawsuit on hoa or file just on hoa management
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 20, 2023

While it might be useful to have a lawyer read the actual clause and review the entire HOA governing documents before concluding as to what they say, as a general matter, neither the HOA nor anyone else, can declare themselves immune from the law or been g challenged in their understanding or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: wrongful detainer was filed, however I asked the judge to dismiss the case as it was the incorrect action as I pay rent.

Plaintiff (P) stated a landlord/tenant was filed previously but was dismissed. On that particular L/T case, I asked for a postponement due to illness. But previous judge dismissed case because (P) lawyer stated a dishonest answer that I paid nothing. (P) lawyer then filed a wrongful detainer... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 9, 2023

It is difficult to decipher your description, but the mechanism for challenging a judge's decision is called an appeal. If you don't understand the judge's decision or how to follow the procedures of court, you might be well served to retain a lawyer for your next case or for the present appeal.

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: If a land parcel is owned by the same parties equally but a portion is held in a llc and other held as individuals.

Can the all the sales proceeds be just allocated to the LlC and just zero proceeds to the Individuals so no 1099 will be issued ?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on May 8, 2023

The individual owners should have deeded their interest to the LLC before the sale, if they wanted the proceeds all deemed income to the LLC. While the individual owners may be able to direct payment to the LLC, or deposit their checks into the LLC bank account, I believe at this point that will... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: How to find out if a business had a grandfather clause

This business was run in Maryland and the business was inherited. It was told to us that my uncle was grandfathered into the business and we are trying to see how that was done. It would have changed hands around 1990 to 1993. It is called Eatons Fish Hatchery, 10701 Putman Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 10, 2023

You haven't provided enough information to enable me to answer. It might be best if you understood and used the term "grandfathered" correctly. It is not a term of art in law, but it is often used to mean that some law or regulation came into effect on some date but could not be made... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: How do I get my daughter’s name removed quickly from a house we own jointly? Daughter in agreement. No Mortgage
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Mar 29, 2023

This would be done by a no consideration deed. To do this "quickly" you'd likely want to find a law firm who can record electronically which speeds up the process considerably. Charles County does require a lien sheet before any deed can be recorded.

I agree that a real...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Constitutional Law for Maryland on
Q: Profile Case - Name on Deed not Mortgage. Trustee sold .Did not sign any paper work

Case - located on line and News paper. I was left homeless from this case. I tried to get a pro bono attorney. No one would take this case. Went to the Attorney Grievance Committee no help. Went to xx who wrote the first article to try and get him to publish what had happened. No help. There was to... View More

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Apr 4, 2023

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services can help connect you to willing pro bono attorneys with some expertise in real property and mortgage matters. You can apply on-line by providing basic income information to see if you meet the income requirements. Good luck.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Military Law for Maryland on
Q: The tenant of my property in MD is military and his contract ends on 5/31/23. I was planning on giving him a 60 day not

Notice to vacate but my realtor says I cannot end my contract because he is military. Is that correct?

Daniel Staeven
Daniel Staeven
answered on Mar 17, 2023

While the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides protections for financial and legal transactions while in the military, I don't believe the Act confers greater rights than a person can have in a situation like the one you describe. If a person is renting your property, you have the right to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I was misled by the builder when I purchased this house. I would like to know if I have any recourse.
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 4, 2023

There are several potential causes of action that may apply. Sit down with a local lawyer to review your facts.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: dose property have to be registered at the county clerk by persons who clams to own property and title at county record.

I'm trying to find the company name, at county record saying they have title and there no record of them to be found on registration

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Mar 2, 2023

Yes, property deeds showing ownership are filed "registered" with the Land Records in the Circuit Court of each county. Clerks generally do not do any research to verify ownership. A title search would verify who owns a particular property. (Property owned by an entity may be more... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can I sue my leasing office (maryland) for waiting over 4 hours for a clogged toilet?

I waited for hours and the lady from the maintenance kept hanging up on me when I called for updates.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 2, 2023

First off, let me quote my late, old professor of Business Law back at Penn. "Of course, they can sue. Any idiot can sue. All it takes is a pen, paper, and the filing fee … and on occasion a crayon is substituted for the pen. The question you are trying to ask is whether you can win."... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.