If you are the owner of a commercial, industrial, retail, office, residential or other property in Philadelphia, now is the time to review the tax assessment for your property against its current market value. Today’s economy...more
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has effectively increased the value of commercial real estate in many counties with its recent release of common level ratios, creating an opportunity for owners of retail, office,...more
If you are the owner of a retail, office, industrial or other commercial property in Pennsylvania, then now is the time to review the tax assessment for your property against its current market value. The COVID-19 outbreak...more
In the coming months, lenders that have extended loans to businesses that are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may consider modifying existing loan arrangements rather than seeking legal remedies against...more
On May 1, 2020, the City of Philadelphia allowed certain construction projects to resume.
By an Executive Order signed April 29, 2020, the City announced that the following categories of projects were permitted to resume...more
With social distancing and mandatory closures, COVID-19 has caused a tremendous impact on businesses. Many commercial tenants have failed to pay April or May rent and some tenants are looking for rent abatements, rent...more
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed Senate Bill 841, now known as Act 15 of 2020, into law, allowing remote notarization of documents, municipalities to meet by telecommunication devices and flexibility with property tax...more
The COVID-19 outbreak, and the requirement that non-life-sustaining and/or non-essential businesses shut down, is having a material impact on the ability of many commercial tenants to perform their obligations under their...more
Government mandates aside, tenants to a lease governed by Pennsylvania law may face an “uphill battle” to invoke force majeure protections — used to allocate risk that is considered beyond a party’s control — whether or not...more
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) and the Board of Licenses and Inspection Review (BLIR) have taken proactive steps to help mitigate potential community spread by...more
Here is a summary of three pieces of legislation that may affect the real estate industry in Pennsylvania. Click on the linked bill numbers to view the latest version of each bill and its status.
1. House Bill 523, Private...more
Protestants opposing zoning relief to prevent competition and the loss of their business can be “formidable foes,” as a recent case from suburban Philadelphia demonstrates.
In Tinicum 15 Industrial Highway, the Tinicum...more
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania recently confirmed the standards by which an applicant can obtain a special exception to expand a nonconforming use on its property.
In Mercy v. Zoning Hearing Board of Cross Roads,...more
Are you a tenant who pays rent to a non-resident individual, estate or trust? If so, beware! Act 43 of 2017 created a withholding obligation for certain lessees of Pennsylvania real estate to non-residents and also expanded...more
House Bill No. 352 passed the General Assembly and has now been signed by the Governor. It provides that an individual can obtain title to a property by adverse possession in 10 years instead of the 21 years required by prior...more
The Cheltenham Township Community Development Corporation (CTCDC) is seeking proposals from qualified applicants for the acquisition and redevelopment of a 5 acre parcel of land, zoned commercial, and owned by the Township. ...more
Are the real property taxes assessed against your property out of proportion to the actual value of your property? If so, what should you do?
First, you need to determine if you have a basis to file an appeal to the...more
In the case of Polaris v. Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board, the Commonwealth Court reversed a decision of the Court of Common Pleas and the underlying zoning hearing board to deny an application to use a property as a...more
In a recent case decided by the PA Commonwealth Court, titled Toll Brothers and Orleans Homebuilders v. Upper Uwchlan Township, the court upheld the decision of the Court of Common Pleas and the Board of Supervisors to deny...more
The Bucks County Planning Commission has increased its filing fees for 2018. The base fees for residential subdivisions, land developments and conversions remain the same, but the additional lot multiplier fees have been...more
As a supplement to my blog back on August 23, 2017, as to the use of alternate on-lot sewer systems for planning new subdivisions, attached is the PA Builders Association information sheet on the new legislation.
...more
In Pennsylvania, landlords are prohibited from employing self-help evictions when dealing with tenants and former tenants. However, querry if such prohibition exists when property owners seek to evict trespassers. Trespassers...more
Many times, at hearings to obtain either special exceptions or conditional use approvals, applicants, for one reason or another, are under the impression that they simply have to call one or two witnesses to confirm, in a...more
The NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities will expire on December 7, 2017. DEP has announced that the general permit will be administratively extended until December 7, 2018....more
On November 2, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., the Warrington Township Planning Commission intends to review an updated Comprehensive Plan for the Township. After this Comprehensive Plan is reviewed by the Planning Commission, it will...more