Vancouver duplex owners deny scuttling $1.8-million real estate sale

The owners of one half of a Vancouver duplex who are being sued by the owners of the other half of the property deny a claim that they scuttled a $1.8-million real estate sale following a “toxic” dispute over common property.

Late last year, Maria and Panagiotis Pappas, who own a home at 3257 West 2nd Ave., filed a lawsuit against their neighbours, Jordan Mark Bower and Maureen Culver Elworthy, who own 3255 West 2nd Ave., the other half of the duplex.

The plaintiffs said that they had been living with their neighbours for more than a year with no discussion of legal or property issues until January 2021.

A dispute arose when Bower and Elworthy proposed what the plaintiffs are calling a “complete” redrawing of all common property space on the ground-floor outdoor areas of the home.

The plaintiffs say they consider the proposals to be completely one-sided and beneficial to the defendants.