Category: Real Estate / Property
Co-Ownership of Real Estate: Title Matters
In Pennsylvania, title to real estate can be held by co-owners in various ways – as tenants in common, as joint tenants with right of survivorship, as tenants by the entirety and as tenants in partnership. We are commonly asked what the differences are among… Continue reading
Update on Mechanic’s Liens and Union Benefit Funds
In prior newsletters we have discussed the case of the Bricklayers of Western Pennsylvania Combined Funds, Inc. v. Scott’s Development Company. The Superior Court in that case determined that a union’s benefit pension fund was entitled to a mechanic’s lien against real estate on which… Continue reading
8 Ways to Reduce Your Insurance Bill
The cost of property insurance and automobile insurance seems to go up every year. However, there are a few ways that you can fight back. Here is a list of 8 suggestions for containing your insurance costs: ♦ Review the coverage amount of… Continue reading
Condominium Living-Rule Breakers Take Heed
Condominium living isn’t for everyone. A unit owner in a condominium or planned community is governed by a number of rules contained in the declaration and bylaws, and the homeowners association runs the show, often with an iron hand. In my practice, I represent associations… Continue reading
Who’s on Top? Tenants, Subordination and Foreclosure
It is a standard provision in nearly every lease that the lease will be “subordinate” to the lien of any mortgage on the leased property. While there are variations on exactly what the lease might say and exactly what problems may arise, this seemingly boiler-plate… Continue reading
A Landlord’s Limit in Liability
If you own a building which you do not occupy and which you have leased to a tenant, can you be responsible for injury to your tenant’s visitor for an injury because of a defect on the property? In a recent opinion, the U.S. District… Continue reading
Security for Seller “Take Back” Financing
One way to increase the chances of selling your business for the right price is to provide financing of at least a portion of the purchase price paid by your purchaser. Suppose, for example, you are selling a restaurant business, including real estate, restaurant assets… Continue reading
Landlord’s Right of Entry – Plan Ahead for Problems and Opportunities
In landlord/tenant law, the general rule is that until the termination of the lease, the tenant has exclusive control and possession of the premises. Thus, the landlord has no right to enter the property during the term of the lease. To deal with this rule,… Continue reading
Is a Landlord Liable to a Tenant for Criminal Acts of a Third Party?
Being a landlord carries with it certain risks, many of which are obvious. One concern, which is fortunately not a commonly reported one, is whether a landlord is liable for criminal acts perpetrated on a tenant on the leased premises. The answer is a definite… Continue reading
Real Estate Assessment Appeals for 2015
It’s that time of year again. The real estate assessment appeals deadline for the upcoming year is fast approaching. The due date for Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware Counties is August 1, 2014. For Berks County there is a little more of a reprieve –… Continue reading