There is this house that I am completely in love with. It's Victorian style house that has been abandoned. On the Outside it looks like it needs a lot of work but my husband and I are interested in buying it. We have thought about "breaking in" to look inside but we're afraid we'd get in trouble with the cops. If we explained the situation that we're looking to buy it would they accept that? Or what are some means to find out who owns the house?
2007-02-08 01:59:21 · 18 answers · asked by laurel 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I guess I should add that it's in a lot completely all by itself. We've looked in through some windows and it's empty. I've had my eye on it for about 2 years now, it's just that now we're finally getting the opportunity to look into it. Thanks though, I've gotten some great responses.
2007-02-08 02:36:24 · update #1
(1) I don't think the "cops" would be too happy if you told them you were going to break in to someone's property. What if the property was unsafe and you got into an accident? The cops may think that you could sue them for letting you break the law. And if you tell them this, why should they believe you and not believe that you're going in to rob or loot? Just because you look nice? Plus, regardless of whether the house itself is abandoned, "breaking" in may still be a felony. (Or it may just be tresspassing, which the police wouldn't really care about.) If you want to go up to the house and look through the windows and or "break" in, you do so at your own peril, but letting the police know ahead of time isn't going to do you any good.
(2) There are plenty of ways to find out who owns the house. You can go down to the country recorder's office and ask for the most recent deeds and abstracts for that address. That would list the last owner. Then you could see if that last owner had a will probated (if they're dead), although that should also be reflected on the deed/abstract. Finally, the assessor should know if anyone has paid taxes on the property in the last few years. They may (or may not) be willing to tell you the name of the person paying. In the alternative, if no taxes have been paid, then there's a tax levy, and the Government may be willing to foreclose and have a tax sale (so you could get the property cheap!).
2007-02-08 02:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just because no one is living there doesn't mean that it's for sale. It could be tied up in a trust or be temporarily vacant while the owner is away. If you break in to look inside, it's called trespassing. If you are hurt while on the premises, you've incurred another problem. If you run into a vagrant living there and get accosted, you've helped yourself to another problem. Go to the tax office to get the owner's mailing address. If it's the same address as the house, there may be a forwarding address. In the meantime, stay out.
2016-05-24 06:30:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, of course, it would be breaking and entering. If you're CERTAIN it's empty, then it's unlikely anyone will even know you're there, depending on how isolated it is (or isn't...). As for ownership, your county tax assessor will have records on the property; you may also need to do a title search. Even if the owner died, he either had heirs, or the property went to the local government if there was no will. Be sure to wear protective clothing - maybe a jumpsuit/coveralls - as old houses can be dirty and bug-infested if they've been sitting for very long at all. Also, be careful of where you step; rotted floorboards and aging structures can be dangerous.
If you're not absolutely certain that it's empty (and that means no transients, not just the owner(s) ), then you need to be VERY careful.
2007-02-08 02:12:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you contact the city land registry office you could find out who the owner is.
If a neighbour calls the police if they see you going in, you could be in trouble so I don't recommend it. The onus is on the person inside the house to prove that they were there for a lawful purpose (being curious would not be a lawful purpose).
In Canada you could be charged with trespassing or "unlawfully in a dwelling house". You could also be charged with mischief if you damage something to get in.
If I as a police officer found two law abiding adults inside an abandoned house for the purpose of checking it out for purchase (went through an unlocked door, no damage) I would tell them not to do it again without permission from the owner and send them on their way. But that's me, this will obviously vary depending on the officer.
2007-02-08 02:08:33 · answer #4 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you have an itch to see what the inside of a jail cell looks like, then by all means break in . Breaking and entering even property YOU THINK is abandoned is still a crime, no matter what reason you give. Why not look it up at your County Office instead???
2007-02-08 02:11:30 · answer #5 · answered by peachiepie 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, if the door is unlocked and it is obviously abandoned, then I imagine there would be no harm in it. More than likely, no one will notice that you are even there. And, if the cops come (and I seriously doubt they will) I'm sure they will be able to tell that you guys aren't up to any mischief.
You can go to the Courthouse and look up the deed to the property. That may not solve very much if the owner is dead, but at least it's a start.
2007-02-08 02:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by clever nickname 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you are in the US, you can go to the website of the county assessor or auditor where the house is located and do a property search using the address.
You can also find this information with the county records clerk.
Do NOT break in - your story won't matter to the police; you'd still be breaking and entering.
2007-02-08 02:03:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Even tho the house is abandoned,it does not give you and your husband the right to break in.You would be arrested.Go to public records to find who owns the property and contact the owner, thats the legal way to make your inquiry.Not breaking in someone elses property.
2007-02-08 02:04:17 · answer #8 · answered by jnwmom 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
County clerks office will have a record as to who owns the house. I would not break in for any reason. It is trespassing and B&E. At the very least it would be misdomeanor offenses.
2007-02-08 02:08:47 · answer #9 · answered by Richard Bricker 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can do it either way but if you want to contact someone to make sure it is ok you would need to get the address of the house and call the city/county and they can tell you who the property belongs to
2007-02-08 02:04:07 · answer #10 · answered by missme 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋