Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

Landlord is not the owner of said property...

I rented from a woman for 11yrs. The house caught on fire 3mons ago due to faulty wiring. Former landlord continues to harass for a water bill. This bill is not in my name, nor hers. I found out through property info at City Hall that she is not the owner. The original owner passed away 12yrs ago. I lived there for 11 yrs. What are my legal rights in this matter?


Asked on 10/09/06, 2:01 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Matthew Kelly Kelly Law

Re: Landlord is not the owner of said property...

Did the lease require you to pay the water bill? My thoughts, if the bill was not in your name and the lease didn't require you to pay it then the landlord (even if not the owner of property) canot require you to pay it. Had you paid it in the past?

Read more
Answered on 10/09/06, 4:03 pm
Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

Re: Landlord is not the owner of said property...

If the Landlord was the heir of the deceased owner, the Landlord IS [along with other heirs] the owner, even if there's no new deed recorded.

The lease should govern who is responsible for the water bills. If no one carried casualty insurance (to cover fire and other similar damages), there is probably no money to repair the damage. Usually a landlord should have such insurance, and the tenant should have separate insurance for the tenant's personal property.

Read more
Answered on 10/10/06, 12:36 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Pennsylvania