There are several different types of real estate disputes that can occur. For example, you may encounter a title dispute, a landlord-tenant dispute, a land use dispute, or a property-boundary dispute. No matter the type of issue, there are often large sums of money at stake for the parties involved.
Thankfully, the team at our law firm has a thorough understanding of how to properly navigate various types of real estate disputes. If you are dealing with such a dispute, our team will review your case, explain the intricacies of the law, and work diligently to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. Furthermore, our team can offer guidance when completing any potentially complicated real estate transactions. Accordingly, you may pre-emptively avoid any disputes that could arise down the road.
If you need assistance achieving your real estate goals in Columbia, MD, contact our experienced real transaction and dispute lawyers at the Heyman Law Firm by calling (410) 305-9287.
Examples of Real Estate Disputes that Our Attorneys Can Help with in Columbia, MD
Real estate disputes can be complex and emotionally charged. Thankfully, our real estate transaction and disputes attorneys can assist with any of the following:
Property Boundary Disputes
One of the most common types of real estate disputes involves property boundaries. These disputes arise when neighboring property owners have conflicting beliefs about the exact location of their property lines. Boundary disputes can be triggered by various factors, such as unclear survey markers, fences or structures encroaching onto neighboring land, or changes in land features over time. After encountering such a dispute, you may need to gather evidence like surveys and historical records to determine accurate boundaries and negotiate a resolution with the other party.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord-tenant disputes involve conflicts between property owners and their tenants. These disputes can revolve around issues like rent payments, security deposits, property maintenance, or lease violations. For example, a tenant may claim that the landlord failed to address a maintenance issue, such as a leaky roof, while the landlord argues that the tenant caused the damage.
Breach of Contract
In real estate transactions, contracts are essential to define the terms and obligations of the parties involved. A breach of contract dispute arises when one party fails to fulfill their obligations as outlined in their contract. For instance, in a property sale contract, the seller may refuse to transfer the property title after receiving payment, or the buyer may back out of the deal without a valid reason. To resolve such an issue, you should assess the contract terms, investigate the circumstances of the alleged breach, and advocate for your interests. This may involve advocating for specific performance or seeking monetary damages.
Title Disputes
Title disputes occur when there are issues with the ownership rights of properties. These issues can include conflicting claims of ownership, liens, or easements affecting titles.
For example, a title dispute could arise if a previous owner’s relative contests the validity of a property transfer, claiming that the seller lacked the legal authority to sell the property. In that case, our legal team would perform a thorough title search, examine historical documents, and work to resolve any title defects in order to secure our client’s ownership rights.
Construction Disputes
Construction disputes often involve conflicts between property owners and contractors or subcontractors. These disputes can arise because of construction defects, project delays, cost overruns, or disagreements over the quality of work performed. For instance, a homeowner might be dissatisfied with the craftsmanship of a renovated kitchen, while the contractor contends that they followed the agreed-upon plans and specifications.
Zoning and Land Use Disputes
Zoning and land use disputes arise from conflicts over how a property can be used, developed, or modified. Local zoning regulations and land use restrictions dictate the allowable uses of a property, and any proposed changes may require approvals or permits. For instance, a property owner may wish to convert a residential property into a commercial space, but zoning laws prohibit such use.
Adverse Possession Claims
Adverse possession claims occur when a person asserts ownership rights over a property based on continuous and open use of the land for a specific period, typically many years. For example, if someone has been using a vacant parcel of land as a garden and maintaining it openly for over a decade, they might claim ownership through adverse possession. In that case, the experienced team at our firm could defend against such claims on behalf of the property owner or advise clients seeking to make an adverse possession claim.
Property Tax Appeals
Property tax appeals involve contesting the assessed value of a property for tax purposes. If a property owner believes that their property has been overvalued, resulting in higher property taxes, they may file an appeal. If you are seeking a reduction in taxes through a property tax appeal, you must gather evidence to support a lower valuation and present your case to the appropriate tax authority.
Quiet Title Actions
Quiet title actions are legal proceedings to establish clear and undisputed ownership of properties. These actions are typically initiated when there are competing claims to a property’s title, such as clouded titles or conflicting ownership histories. After encountering such an issue, you may need to file a quiet title action in court, gather evidence supporting your claim to the property at issue, and seek a court judgment confirming your exclusive ownership rights.
Call Our Real Estate Transaction and Disputes Attorneys for Help with Your Case in Columbia, MD
If you need assistance completing a real estate transaction or resolving a dispute, seek support from our experienced real transaction and dispute lawyers at the Heyman Law Firm by dialing (410) 305-9287.