Get free answers to your Land Use & Zoning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 15, 2024
In most cases, a police officer cannot enter your property without your permission if they are only investigating a potential ordinance violation. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule:
1. If the officer has a valid search warrant, they can enter your property to... View More 
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 15, 2024
In most cases, a police officer cannot enter your property without your permission if they are only investigating a potential ordinance violation. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule:
1. If the officer has a valid search warrant, they can enter your property to... View More
We closed on a house Dec 1. We had an addendum written that states the seller can leave their shed for no more than 30 days, along with paying for removal and any damages. The problem is, they haven't picked up the shed and it is now over 30 days. Is it our shed now?
Unfortunately,... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 1, 2024
In Pennsylvania, the ownership of a shed left on a property after a specified period, as outlined in a contractual addendum, can be determined by the terms of the agreement. If the addendum explicitly states that the seller can leave the shed for no more than 30 days and that ownership transfers to... View More
My house was condemned unfairly. It is not unsafe or unsanitary. My kids and I are now homeless. I appealed and have a hearing in August. City officials are saying I don't have a chance no matter what I do. Even if I do what they are saying is making it condemned. How can I fight this? I need... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 18, 2024
You need to consult a real estate attorney who has experience dealing with property disputes and local government regulations. This type of lawyer can help you understand the specifics of your case, gather necessary evidence, and represent you at your hearing in August. They can also challenge any... View More
How can we do this legally or can we just barricade it
answered on Jul 26, 2023
This is a complicated question, which needs to be reviewed with a lawyer. There are many missing facts.
I have tried to look on the GIS Map and tax maps but it comes up as "no additional information"
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 2, 2023
The starting point is to search the titles of you and the adjoining tracts for the last 100-150 years. Easements can be created expressly, by implication, subdivision dedication, prescription, necessity, and probably a few other ways. HIre a PA attorney.
We are all allowed to use the alley-way for the purpose of walking through it. I need to attach a downspout to this area of my building in order to direct a portion of the rain water here. My question is, does the fact that we are all able to use the space for walking through also allow for this?... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2023
It’s hard to say without knowing whether there is a written easement agreement or other writing (perhaps in the deed) creating the right of way and whether it restricts the easement for its intended use. If the new downspout would further restrict the use of the easement for its intended use, I... View More
answered on Jan 30, 2022
A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Some information may have been left off here. It isn't fully clear in what context the money left for you materialized, and your post straddles a number of categories - each could have different manners in... View More
I did file suit against township. Was told it’s a civil matter. They do no have enforcement
answered on Jan 13, 2022
You need to file suit against the neighbor. They can't build on your property. You need to survey it, then you can say it's truly on your line.
Excepting and reserving therefrom all that certain piece or parcel of land set forth in a deed from the grantors herein to John smith which premises are a portion of within described premises and are described in a map referenced in the deed from Mr Jones to John Smith
answered on Sep 20, 2021
No, it is not an easement.
The original parcel contained some land which was conveyed to John Smith. The deed that you are asking about conveyed everything else except for the part conveyed to John Smith.
Rather than have the land re-surveyed and new legal descriptions prepared,... View More
When the inspection and walk throughs were done it was winter time and there were a few snow storms and the deck on the house was covered with snow. Once the snow cleared we noticed that the deck had an addition done which is completely unsafe, and when signing the mortgage paperwork the previous... View More
answered on Jun 4, 2021
Did you have the house inspected? If not, as is means as is. If there was a disclosure form, and they did not disclose that is your best avenue.
You want to find what it would cost to fix, and ask them for it. See how long the other realtor had it for. If you have a realtor ask them how... View More
My father and mother can no longer taker care of it and want to transfer the deed to my siblings and self, can this be done if they are still living? We are looking to sell this property after transfer of deed. Will we encounter any other legal issues with this?
answered on May 26, 2021
They can certainly transfer the property to family members. If they can’t care for themselves, a Power of Attorney would probably be advised so that you and siblings could act directly on their behalf.
You should engage a lawyer in Puerto Rico familiar with real estate and estate... View More
answered on May 25, 2021
From the facts you stated--no. You don't have a right for maintaining a property unless there is an agreement giving you ownership interest of some type. Even if there was, if the land was sold, it's on you to do something. However I may be missing facts and it may be worth your while to... View More
I, along with 3 others (one of whom is my husband) are looking at buying a large plot of land. Two of us have experience farming and we would like to farm the land for personal use. We would also like to provide food from the farm to those in need. So we would like to apply for nonprofit status and... View More
answered on Dec 7, 2020
The "simple" answer to your question is it is possible to operate a non-profit and a for-profit on the same land. However the more important and complex questions are (i) does it make sense from a tax and business point of view; and (ii) what are your for-profit goals or objectives. You... View More
Purchased a home in Pa came back with clean title with no easement for shared driveway the new owner of the house next door came over and told me that it is a shared driveway and I told her no that I own it now she want to file an easement to use my driveway what can I do to stop them from using it
answered on Jul 16, 2020
This is a problem to be resolved through the title company you used when you bought the house. There are multiple possible answers:
1. Your title company made a mistake;
2. You made a mistake and mis-read your policy;
3. Your neighbor made a mistake;
4. The... View More
Electrician performed an electrical service upgrade to 200 Amps without pulling a permit. Also, when approached about damages that he caused to my hardwood floors since he refused to take shoes off or work with booties, he denied liability and just walked off the job, keeping my initial down... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 23, 2020
Hire an attorney and file a lawsuit
Or is original company that put the dump on the property still responsible? And what if they are no longer in existence? Just want it for grazing land for horses. It is being monitored by DEP. dump is closed and inactive and covered.
answered on Jun 5, 2020
You are technically responsible for what is on (and under) your land. So.....if leachate comes out and poisons drinking water, it is possible you could be liable.
When companies site dumps they have to provide insurance. However if this was long ago, that is unlikely to have happened.... View More
I purchased the property 2 years ago and the fence existed before purchase. All the lots in town are the same size. The neighbors that have been here said the fence has been up for over 25 years. Now the new next door property owner wants it moved cause they had it surveyed and 3 foot of it the... View More
answered on Jun 5, 2020
Have the property resurveyed. Here's the thing--it was possibly adversely possessed, but as to the previous owner.
If the lot sizes are the same you may be on the next person's lot.
So, you need to determine if the lot was sold to you with the dimensions you say, did you... View More
I have about 80 acres of land with a 2 acre pond in Mercer County PA. We own approx. 75% of the pond and the neighbor owns the other 25%. We have never had any trouble with that land owner.
However, he recently sold his land and the 25% of the lake to someone else and it has been trouble... View More
answered on May 22, 2020
Your question gives no explanation of a number of facts which may prove decisive. A few of the facts needed: how the 75/25 split in ownership of the pond was initially created and when; whether the pond is man-made or of natural origin; how it is fed, such as by run-off, stream, an underground... View More
I maintained a small piece of land solely for over 30 years adjacent to my home i have proof ,pictures by the ton and borough letters etc Everyone including the d.o.c workers stopped right before this piece of property and never maintained it i did .Today the new president of council said i have... View More
answered on May 14, 2020
There is a concept known as "adverse possession" which, under the right circumstances, grants title to real estate to those who have maintained it for 21+ years. However, the rules are very particular and would also need to be asserted in court. I also have questions about the nature of... 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.
