Re: New Owner of Life Estate
uncle never could sell the house if all he had was a life estate. All he could sell is the life estate which generally has a very limited value.
the life estate tenant is generally liable for regular maintenance while major repair a little less defined but what you have could very well be due to lack of maintenance which would fall onto the tenant, or even be cause to revoke the life estate.
not sure how you "took over the life estate". While uncle can sell, rent, or otherwise allow others to use the property, you don't just "take over" a life estate. If you mean you live there with uncles permission, uncle is still liable for everything he always was.