Legal Question in Real Estate Law in District of Columbia

Adverse Possession on Abandoned Property

There is a decaying property in my very nice neighborhood, which is inhabited by squatters. Apparently, an elderly man inherited from his brother and stayed for a short period 5 years ago. The local government has levied back taxes on the place, clean city, and special assessment taxes. The property is a filthy eye-sore with the boards being repeatedly removed by squatters. One of our elderly neighbors closest to the house had someone break in at night and shove a gun in his face. We had no serious crime here for years.

I found the owner (bless the internet). I made him a token offer of 50K in cash plus back taxes in a priority letter. I followed up with a call. He said, ''No thank you'', and hung up. I immediately call back and asked ''Do you have a price?'' He said, ''No thank you'' and hung up again. He has no apparent intentions to return. Is there anyway I could assert adverse possession or pay the taxes off to obtain the property? Otherwise, DC will put it in the next tax sale or exert eminent domain and bundle it in the Home Initiative Program. Is there anything I can do to claim the property? Thanx.


Asked on 11/15/04, 7:16 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Adverse Possession on Abandoned Property

You cannot claim the property by adverse possession or by merely paying the taxes. You could, however, make a bid to purchase the property if and when it is auctioned at a tax sale.

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Answered on 11/17/04, 2:22 pm


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