Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

Hi - My mom currently resides in a duplex which she owns along with me.. The other half is owned by cousins. The house has been in the family for 70+years. The cousins who own the other half are considering selling their side and are asking me to make some major alterations to my side before they put it on the market. Currently and for at least the the last 70+ years, the electric meter box has been mounted on the outside wall on their side of the house, they are now asking me to have it moved to my side. Also, a toilet on my side drains into the sewer located on thier side, they are asking me to have it re-routed. I talked to a contractor who said he could do the work but questioned me as to why ? I explained the situation and he suggested I seek legal advice before incurring any unnecessary expense. He stated that when they assumed ownership of their side they agreed to accept it as it was, and they cannot demand me to now make said alterations. Please advise and thank you in advance.


Asked on 4/07/10, 1:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

If they sell, you will want all of your and their services to be separate. It would be fair to split the cost, but if you are not in the position to share the cost, tell them you agree if they are selling that the house will be easier to sell if the utilities are completely separate, but that you can not afford it, and that there is no benefit to you to pay for changes to make it easier for them to sell their duplex, but you will cooperate with them making the changes, if they want to pay for them.

Good luck,

Kevin J. Begley

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Answered on 4/12/10, 3:29 pm


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