homeowners

[Julie936]

Two brothers and I (3 owners) own house and land. One brother lives in the basement apt. in the house. The brother who lives in the house has installed a new lock on the garage - he has the only key. Is it legal for him to lock the other 2 owners out of any portion of the property? Also, the brother in the house has let "friends" live in the upstairs rent free. I fear damage to this jointly owned property. Is there anything we can do to stop this?

 

[ALawyer]

You guys could work out the groundrules or seek to partition the property. If you can't work it out amicably, you'll need a real estate lawyer.

But as it stands if you own it jointly you all have equal rights to all the property.

As for damage, whether thru the "friends" or others, I hope you have homeowners insurance on the premises.