Do I need a lawyer

[Tileman6979]

Do I need a lawyer ?

The town I live in is trying to have my house torn down that I have been slowly renovating over the last 5 years. no one is living there. I now have to take off work and go to court in another town and I'm assuming I'll have to plead my case as to why they shouldn't tear it down. I have invested time and money into this property that's nothing mor than storage currently.

 

[adjusterjack]

Why does the town want your house torn down?

Yes, it would be a good idea for you to have a lawyer investigate this and see if you have any options.

 

[FlyingRon]

What state are you in?
Why is the property condemned?

Chances are, you're going to need some professional (possibly a lawyer) to look at whatever the issues are if you have a chance.

 

[NC Aggie]

If you can get a free legal consultation then certainly explore that option. However, before spending money on a lawyer you need to determine what legal authority and/or ordinance the town is acting upon to demolish the structure because a lawyer wouldn't be able to prevent demolition of the property if the town is acting within their legal authority. Your money may be better spent paying a contractor, if there's still time, to do the necessary repairs.

I would assume this property was legally condemned at some point and/or probably considered dilapidated. You as the property owner was served and notified of this designation and ordered to either repair within a certain period of time or have the structure demolished. Failing to do so has resulted in the town ordering the demolition of the structure and they will in turn bill you or file a lien on the property for payment. I would also assume you don't have a building permit to do the repairs yourself?? If there's a building permit on file and it hasn't expired, then the town wouldn't have the authority to demolish the building.

Finally, as someone who's worked for local municipalities in the past, I see the inherent danger of allowing dilapidated structures to remain. They're a fire hazard, often become hangouts for drug users and other criminal activities, and nuisance to other surrounding properties. Is the exterior of the structure in disrepair and is the structure secured with locked doors and windows?