I have a friend who bought a house 7 years ago with his ex. On 12/4/08 the sheriff’s office served him with papers saying that his house was sold at a sheriff’s sale in October and he has 20 days to vacate (12/24/08). He claims he didn’t even know his house was up for sheriff’s sale which could be possible. I am trying to help him figure this out but don’t know where to begin. The bank bought the property at the sale. Does that make them his landlord now? do they have to go through eviction proceedings which could take months to get him out or is the 20 days firm and he must be out by then or forcefully removed? Some of the research I have done thus far say that he is now a tenant and eviction rules apply meaning he would have to go to court and all and it could give him more time. Should he contact the bank and ask them about refinancing? or allowing him to rent it from them? I know the banks just want to get rid of these places they buy because they aren’t doing them any good sitting empty. With the economy and credit crisis the way it is maybe they will be willing to work with him. Any real advice would be appreciated. I would hate to see him have to leave on Christmas eve. Thank you in advance for any and all advice provided. Happy Holidays to all!
Again, I am not looking for any comments as to his character. I said he claims he didn’t know. I didn’t say he absolutely didn’t know. I am not stupid. I am just trying to help a friend out.
Sheriff Sale in Berks County Pennsylvania?
09
Mar
golferwhoworks
March 9, 2010 at 4:03 pm
come on none of this is news to him. He knew he was in foreclosure and now wants sympathy. Get over it and tell him to move he should have the money as he has not paid a mortgage in quite some time.
saberhilt
March 9, 2010 at 4:22 pm
On what grounds was the property sold? Foreclosure? Failure to pay property taxes? He bought it from a scam artist that didn’t really own it in the first place?
It’s my understanding that in the case of a Foreclosure, that the previous owner does not transfer to tenant status automatically.
Also, banks are prohibited from also being Landlords, so he must either buy the house from the bank, or the house will sit vacant until someone else buys it. (He can’t pay rent to the bank.)
Doctor Deth
March 9, 2010 at 4:55 pm
in order for there to be a sherriffs sale, he must have not paid taxes for a couple of years or something – how could he have NO idea something was wrong? he had to have gotten some kind of notice more than once