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Utah Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: What is the meaning of "proportionate" in determination of HOA fees under 57-8a-201/
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Dec 12, 2018

The term "proportionate" isn't defined in the act and therefore you would need to look to CC & R's of HOA itself. If it is not defined in the CC & R'rs then it would take the ordinary meaning in an HOA or industry context.

I hope this helps.

Wes

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: You I've been renting a room in a Utah home for a year and a half.

She increased the rent from $500/month to $650/month when me lease expired at 6 months. I never got a copy of the original lease. What rights to I have regarding being evicted for a late payment of the monthly rent.? The best proof I have of living here is a USPS Informed Delivery account they gave... View More

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Dec 12, 2018

Hi,

You have the same rights as any other tenant who defaults on the lease. You could ask for a copy of the lease. Have you tried to do that?

Basically, if you are defaulting for payment, the Landlord has the right to evict you because you are breaching the contract. If the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: I want to add my son's name to the title of my house as joint tenancy. The title is free and clear. How do I do that
Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Oct 20, 2018

You would properly prepare, execute and acknowledge the deed and ancillary transfer forms required by the county clerk and then record them with the county clerk.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Does the seller need to get title insurance on a property that is free and clear and is being purchased in a cash deal?
Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Oct 6, 2018

The purpose of title insurance is to guarantee you that the property is “free and clear”.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: If a seller leaves Items after closing can I throw them away or just keep them?
Lincoln W. Hobbs
Lincoln W. Hobbs
answered on Aug 28, 2018

Yes. Your choice. You might want to call first and make certain they didn't leave them by mistake.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Can Realestate, in this case a condo be listed for sale while under litigation between a HOA and a builder?
Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 17, 2018

The short answer is yes. You can list anything that you own for sale. If you are going to give out seller disclosures, you will need to disclose the fact that there is pending litigation.

From this question, I am not even sure if you are the owner of the property. The answer is, an owner...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Sold my house after only living there 19 months. Used profit for down on new house. Am I going to be taxed on profit?

Married, filing jointly. New primary residence was less than $500k. It's the less than two years at the old primary residence that worries me.

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 15, 2018

Great question. While it is true, you are not allowed to take the maximum exclusion amount of $250k you might be eligible for some exclusion amount. In order to qualify for some, the reason you moved (the move has to be 50 miles away or more) has to be due to some unforeseen circumstances such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: I need help understanding Utah Sec. 78B-2-309(2). Someone is trying to use it against us saying they no longer owe us.

78B-2-309(2)

Michael Sundwall
Michael Sundwall
answered on Jul 13, 2018

The Utah code section you reference is a statute of limitations on written contracts. It says you cannot collect on a debt created through a written contract more than six years after that became do or the most recent payment was made. However, this statute limitations applies to unsecured debts.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: In Utah, does an HOA legally have to follow a reserve study?

My HOA claims that we need to double our monthly dues to match the reserve study we just had completed, and when questioned with why it needs to happen so fast, as opposed to a more gradual change, we are only told it's the law with no further answers. I attempted to look up the law, and due... View More

Lincoln W. Hobbs
Lincoln W. Hobbs
answered on May 20, 2018

There's no easy answer to this question. Association Boards have discretion to determine a reasonable reserve policy. Although it depends upon what the Association's governing documents say, it is usually the Board's right and duty to determine how reserves should be funded. Your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Lease agreement contract

If I sign a lease that states I am required to pay $3100 for early move out, plus paying rent for the other months left in the term, can I fight that in court? Is it legally acceptable for a property management company (landlord) to make you pay rent for months in which you are not living at the... View More

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 13, 2018

Contract law imposes a duty to mitigate damages. So if you breached the agreement then technically you are responsible to pay rent for the months that you said you would in the contract. However, if the property management company is able to "re-rent" the place quickly then this would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Do I need to go through probate to sell my home after my husband's death

Husband died 7 years ago. I'm selling the house and was told they could not get a clear title without going through probate due to The laws being different in 1987 when the house was bought. We have one child together and he has two children from previous marriages.

William Tyler Melling
William Tyler Melling
answered on Jan 29, 2018

I'm sorry for your loss.

Probate is probably unavailable at this time, due to the length of time since his passing. Instead, you will need to obtain an order determining heirs. Most probate attorneys in the county where he passed would be qualified to help you with that process....
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Is a contract still valid if the realtor fails to give the seller a copy of the signed representation agreement?
Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Jan 26, 2018

I am not sure if we are talking about two separate agreements. Are you asking if a Real Estate Purchase agreement is valid if the realtor fails to give the client a copy of the representation agreement? If that is the case then yes. The real estate purchase agreement will not be invalidated due... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Let a coworker stay with us for what was to be 2 months, now going into 6 rent free. Do I need anything to move him out

A coworker was in need, so I let him move into a room in my basement rent free (just help w/ utilities), there's nothing in writing. This was all verbal. We made an agreement to be moved out by March 1, '18. I'm not sure if he'll move out without a problem

Lincoln W. Hobbs
Lincoln W. Hobbs
answered on Jan 11, 2018

Assuming he won't voluntarily leave when you request him to, you can pursue an unlawful detainer action against him, which is an expedited process which leads to a court order for him to get out. If he doesn't comply with that, law enforcement will assist you in removing him and his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Business Formation for Utah on
Q: When starting a Real Estate business involving flipping houses will an LLC do, or should we look into an S Corp? Thanks

We are looking for the best asset protection vehicle for this venture. Thank you.

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Dec 29, 2017

First off, the big difference between LLC's and S Corps are the way that they are taxed and the formalities that have to be observed. They both offer the same liability protection. Some attorneys may argue that LLC's are relatively new and because they are relatively new, the body of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Just left an apartment who is charging us $300 in move out cleaning costs, despite us cleaning for 8hrs. Help?!

We lived in this apartment for 1 year. Upon move out, they are claiming we owe an $85 cleaning fee, a $35 carpet cleaning fee, and an $85 partial painting fee (we did not pay a deposit upon move in). I cleaned for 8 hours before move out and scrubbed the apartment clean! The only damage to the... View More

Lincoln W. Hobbs
Lincoln W. Hobbs
answered on Sep 5, 2017

Take a look at the Utah Fit Premises Act, Utah Code 57-22. (You can find it through Google.) Also, check your city's ordinances; some cities provide more protection. Small claims court may be your best and only real option.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Who is the responsible party for resolving a partial reconveyance issue in a lot sale? Sellers, buyers, or title co?

I'm under contract (I'm the buyer) for a 1.5 acre piece of land and apparently it was described incorrectly when it was originally subdivided. What is the best way to resolve this issue and who is responsible for working to get this resolved? The buyer, the buyers agent, the sellers, the... View More

Lincoln W. Hobbs
Lincoln W. Hobbs
answered on Aug 9, 2017

All of the parties should be motivated to move this along, assuming the seller wants to sell and the buyer (you) still want to buy. The complexity of resolving this type of dispute varies considerably based upon the type of property involved, and the jurisdiction(s) which have authority. Sometimes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: If a car dealership is to tear down a neighborhood, would the seller be required to disclose before selling?

Just found out, AFTER purchasing the home that a dealership is scheduled to tear down homes around mine. This will bring the value of my home down tremendously, and it was not disclosed prior to me purchasing the home.

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 2, 2017

Unfortunately for you, no. Although, sellers will typically provide a "seller's disclosures" they are not legally obligated to do so. If they did provide a "seller's disclosures" and proactively said that they were not aware of any major changes to the neighborhood... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Do we have any recourse with the seller??

We just purchased a home. We've lived here for about 2 1/2 months, but we started experiencing plumbing issues within the first few weeks. The plumber we spoke with said the seller had to have known these issues yet they weren't disclosed to us. Do we have any kind of recourse?

Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Jul 26, 2017

In New York at least there is legal recourse for fraud.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: My mother died 7 years ago my sister has been living in the home now the remaining sisters want to sell how do I remove

The sister and her property that's living there. The will states the house to be sold and divided equally, however we have allowed my sister to live there for 7 years and now she won't leave????

Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 27, 2017

Who has title the house? Is it still in your mom's name? If so then you will need to file an action in probate called a determination of heirs (probably as the normal time to probate an estate has probably lapsed) in order to get a personal representative appointed who will then have the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: How many days does a land lord need to evict for none payment utah
Wesley Winsor
PREMIUM
Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 22, 2017

A landlord can serve a 3 day notice to pay or quit the day after the payment is due. If the tenant pays, they get to stay. If they don't then the landlord can start the eviction process.

I hope this helps.

Wes

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