Do I have a case to get ownership of a house if I have paid all of the expenses, including property taxes?

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Do I have a case to get ownership of a house if I have paid all of the expenses, including property taxes?

I’m currently living in a house I do not own’ I was allowed to live here before the homeowner passed away. The owner’s daughter at that time vacated the property because she didn’t want to pay property taxes and has not become

owner of the house. For the last 4 years, I have been keeping up with the house while the daughter had no contact with me whatsoever. I paid the property taxes and now the daughter is trying to force her way back into the house. I don’t think that’s legal. Do I have a case?

Asked on June 12, 2018 under Real Estate Law, Florida

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

No, you don't have a case, unfortunately:
1) Voluntarily paying expenses for someone (such as for their house) does not give you ownership over their property. You can't take someone else's belongings against their will, simply by paying for them. You would have needed an agreement that in exchange for paying, you would get ownership.
2) A court would also conclude that you did this for your own benefit and have already received value for your payments: you received a place to live. Essentially, your payments would be seen as rent for having lived there.
So yes, the daughter still have the right to her property and can remove you (such as on thirty days notice terminating your right to live there).


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