Pennsylvania Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
Q: I purchased my boyfriends grandmothers home from her estate using money from my retirement savings plan.
We put the house in his name for tax reasons. The plan was to add my name to the deed. We broke up and now he has the house. Is there anything I can do?
You are going to need to sue him.
Put together all the documents that show you paid for the home.
Q: our neighbor wants to buy a portion of our lot we agreed on a price but I want to back out we have no written agreement.
we own a lot behind our house our neighbor wants to buy a portion of it, we agreed on a price but I want to back out can I back out without a legal problem. we do not have a written agreement
no but you risk them bringing a lawsuit against you. Land sale contracts Should be in writing.
Q: I'm going to lose my house September 19th due to back property taxes can somebody please help me
I live in Carbon County I was put on a payment plan for my 2017 taxes and I lost my job I called up and tax Bureau and Jim Thorpe and told them the situation and they said if I don't make that $312 payment that I need to come up with $2,500 to pay my 2018 and the 312 that I owe if somebody can... Read more »
Contact legal services if you haven't already. There may be exemptions you can get. Your state representative may be able to help you find other resources.
Q: If a seller lied on the seller disclosure form about serious material defect even though she sold property as- is
Property is shifted and water coming through the basement. Seller denied these on seller disclosure.what can the buyer? House was sold as- is
The house was sold as is - you can always try to bring a lawsuit but once the transaction is closed you’ll have a hard time trying to rescind the sale or get damages. It was sold as is for a reason.
Q: Can i be held Financially Responsible for Property Violations on a House that i Hold a Quit Claim on?
Quit Claim Deed with Ex Husband 2011. I have not lived there since 2006. Ex in Jail and will not be getting out anytime soon. House needs condemned is falling down and contaminated with meth. The Township (Millcreek) Erie, PA has contacted me said i could be held financially responsible for some... Read more »
Yes you can be held responsible.
Q: Have a question about adverse possession in Pennsylvania.
Our neighbor is insisting that we are on their property line, however we have been maintaining this section of the yard (about a 4-foot section) for the past 17 years. Are we eligible for adverse possession? It was per a good faith mistake, we have actual possession of the land, we've had open and... Read more »
Adverse possession requires a minimum of twenty consecutive years. That twenty years may be accumulated between a current owner and a prior owner.
Based on your information, unless you can establish possession and control by your prior owner, you are out of luck.
Secondly, you... Read more »
Q: Changing deed rights?
I am looking for information regarding the removal of a statement in my deed that my grandmother (Grantor) would now like to have removed. The following is what she is wishing to have removed. "Reserving unto the Grantor a life estate in the within described property." This deed was done in... Read more »
The actual process of removing the life estate is fairly simple (for an experienced real estate attorney, anyway), but it should not be done without legal advise as to income tax, property tax and other implications, such as the effect this might have on Medicaid pre-planning.
Q: I’m a Realtor. I want to advertise free uhaul rentals. Am I allowed?
I’m a Realtor. I want to start giving away free UHaul rentals for buyers/sellers. I want to use this to advertise on Social media. Do I need to disclose certain things or can I simply put “If you buy or sell with me you get a free uhaul rental”. I know there are some guidelines for giveaways... Read more »
You need to talk to UHaul Cotporate first and explain this to them and get their ok.
Q: I filed a eviction for non-payment of 2 months rent ,damages,and utility bills which were never payed. We go to court.
She reveals she left a few days ago and claims harassment from a third party phone call by a relative of mine. Which was news to me and sounded bad to be honest . The judge decides she doesn’t need to pay us back anything . But now that she has left there are unpaid ullity bills,the house is a... Read more »
I would file the appeal. Also report her.
Q: My grandmother died and left her land to her children they have not paid land tax for 5 years do I have rights if I pay
The land was willed to her children who are not paying the land is still in my grandmothers name
No. If you are not one of her children you do not have any rights.
Q: Couple I'm renting to are breaking up and one of them wants to leave. Who is the responsible party?
The problem is that the person who is leaving is the one that provided the security deposit. And I don't believe that the remaining person can afford the rent by themself. The lease expires at the end of the year. Who do I hold responsible? Who's security deposit am I holding?
What does your lease state? If they both signed the lease, they are both responsible.
Q: My father is the mortgagor for my brother.
My brother purchased our childhood home from my father. My father agreed to hold the mortgage which is legally recorded. Does he have to get a new mortgage to pay back the estate in order to settle (there are 4 of us) or can he take his portion of the inheritance and put it towards the balance and... Read more »
You can do anything you want if all of the heirs agree.
Q: If I do not have a renters license will I be able to evict a tenant for 2 months of unpaid rent?
In Pennsylvania you do not need a renters license.
Q: I have someone living in my house and they are 2 months behind in rent. If we never wrote a lease what do I do
She refused to leave
Send them an eviction notice. Once they have received the eviction notice you can file a complaint for possession and rent at your local magistrate.
Q: I have property in Pike County Pa that I am trying to sell on Ebay. If it is sold, how do I transfer the deed?
1.1 acres of land in Masthope. Taxes and dues will be paid up to date, in full by me.
Contact an attorney in Pike County. He can assist you in preparing a deed to transfer the property.
Q: House closed on July 22. 2 days ago, the basement flooded, foundation cracks were found estimating 15000 any recourse?
There was nothing disclosed by seller. I had 2 inspections.
Cost of repair is 15,000, not 1500.
There could be recourse however it may cost you more than $1500 to get your recourse.
Q: Seller did not remove a swing set. It was not included/excluded in the AOS. Buyer wants it gone.Who pays to remove?
That should've been resolved at closing . . . because Buyer did a final walk-through the morning of closing, noticed it, and brought it up at closing.
If not, that's egg on the Buyer's face, and I think the item belongs to Buyer now -- esp. if it's affixed to the ground. I say it's... Read more »
Q: Do sidewalks in an HOA community, with main streets dedicated to the township, need to be ADA compliant?
I live in an HOA community where main streets are owned by the Township. I am responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of my property. Between the sidewalk and the street is a 4' strip of grass considered common area where the developer planted street trees. These trees are 15+ yrs old and... Read more »
Yes you need to comply with the ADA
Q: Filled for bankruptcy on April 42019 only to discover recently that the bank took my house at sheriff sale on April 5
Your question should be redirected to the Bankrupty category.
Q: The deeds and property histories say that i own a house. The improperly placed lot lines say i dont own a house.
My nieghbors lot description has errors in it. These errors caused the surveyors to make inaccurate maps. The private neighborhood association wont let me onto my property to survey it properly. The people living in my house also sent my surveyor hiking. The local police refused to look at my... Read more »
If you are facing a criminal trespass charge, you need to consult with a criminal defense attorney immediately and/or get a court appointed criminal defense attorney. You should change the category of your question to "Criminal Law."
Once the criminal action is taken care of, you should... Read more »
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