Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

Re: how do i claim a house that has been abandoned for several years

You can not 'claim' a property. Someone owns it. Go to the local tax office and see who owns it. If the person can not be located, chances are taxes are due, and a township may be able to send the overdue taxes to tax sale, or already has. If not, buy it at the tax sale, than you wait (I think it's 12-18 months) and you can foreclose on the property. After foreclosure, you can get title and use/build on the property.

If someone else already has the tax sale cert, you may be able to buy it off them, then wait and proceed to get title. Perhaps it is ready for foreclosure so your delay will not be so long, but in any event, you will need an atty to help with the foreclosure.

Good luck.

Re: how do i claim a house that has been abandoned for several years

You should check with the taxing authorities. If it has been vacant that long, the property may have gone to tax sale.