Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

Re: housing

What you have been told is not true.

You may check who the legal owner is by going to City Hall, Department of Records and looking up the owner of your property address. You may also check with the Board of Revision of Taxes, through www.hallwatch.org , to see where the real estate taxes are sent and if they have been paid.

There is "adverse possession", which may entitle a person who has been in a property for over 21 years to make a claim of ownership in a lawsuit. But if you have been paying rent and it has been accepted until now, the 21 years would only start counting now.

During that time, you should continue to pay utilities and property taxes. If you fall behind, the utility or City may not permit you to pay the arrears if you do not have legal title. You also may not sell or put a mortgage on the property without being the legal owner.

If no one comes to claim the property within the next 21 years, you should consult a lawyer who is familiar with "Quiet Title" actions to help you get legal title.