What to do if my sister and I were left a house by our mother almost 9 years ago but she doesn’t want to rent or sell it?
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What to do if my sister and I were left a house by our mother almost 9 years ago but she doesn’t want to rent or sell it?
She has been living there since then paying the taxes and insurance but no rent. I have brought up renting the house out at different times and she has pretty much blown it off. A year ago I brought it up again we sat down and I told her we needed to do something with the house, rent it out or sell it. Now I don’t hear from her unless I call and bring it up. What are my options?
Asked on September 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country absent an agreement to the contrary joint owners of a piece of property are allowed to reside in it rent free. Your recourse is to ask your sister to buy out your ownership interest in this jointly held property. If she refuses, then your option if you want out of the property is to file a partition action asking that the court order that the property be sold.
Given what you have written, I suggest that you consult with a real estate attorney to assist you in your matter.
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