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Pennsylvania Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Landlord - Tenant and Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my Landlord evict me or have me arrested for putting my neighbors dog poop on his doorstep?

I am a tenant in a 4 apartment complex. My downstairs neighbors(young couple) are the only tenants here who own dogs. They are not cleaning up after them at all. There is usually 12-20 piles in our shared driveway and through our shared sidewalk. I have told our property manager numerous times... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I fell down my stairs in my rental house in the middle of the night and fractured my wrist and injured my lower spine.

These spiral stairs have no railing, and the only light switch is at the bottom of the steps, so I was in the dark. It's an older house (maybe 100 years). Is my landlord liable for my injury? I'm also on a monthly lease, so I'm worried that it might not be renewed if I took legal action.

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a landlord ask me to pay for insinuated damages without an itemized list and without using my security deposit first

They are adding an additional $1,500 to my rent that's due in 6 days for "estimated repairs." I am wondering the legality of this, instead of/in addition to using the security deposit. My lease ends May 31st. Today is April 26th. They want me to pay for this now.

0 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my former employer keep my last paycheck because I owe him rent

My former employer offered to rent me a room but it wasn't ready. Due to an hour travel to and from work he offered to let me stay in a room close by free of charge until my room was ready. I stayed in that room for a week and a half and ended up in the hospital. During my hospital stay, he... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I moved out of my apartment at the end of Feb . February rent was paid . My landlord has not returned security deposit

It’s been more then 30 days and now he has been unresponsive

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I rent from my employer when I asked for a pay increase I was told ok but your rent will increase is this legal?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

The legality of your employer increasing your rent in response to a pay raise request depends on the specific circumstances and the laws in your location. Here are a few important considerations:

1. Employment laws: In most cases, it is legal for an employer to change the terms of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: If landlord is responsible for water can they charge a "water fee" as an additional charge on my monthly rent amount?

They are also adding a damage waiver fee and an utility fee. All 3 fee's total 60$ in addition to the rent. Is this legal in Pennsylvania?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

In Pennsylvania, landlords are allowed to charge tenants for water and utilities, but the specifics of what they can charge and how they charge it depend on the lease agreement and local laws.

1. Water fee: If the landlord is responsible for water according to the lease, they should not...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: New owner of my apartment complex told me starting on June 1st my rent will be 250 more a m I signed a lease in February

I already have a lease from the previous owner signed in February 2024 what should I do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

I understand your concern. It sounds like you have a valid lease agreement that was signed in February 2024 with the previous owner of your apartment complex. Typically, when a property is sold, the new owner is legally obligated to honor any existing leases that were in place before the sale.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: My property management company is allowing other tenants year lease renewal but not me? Is this legal?

My property management company is allowing both my neighbors next to me to keep signing year lease renewals at renewal time. Mine came up and I asked and I was told it’s month to month and that’s it. No explanation nothing.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation with your lease renewal. The legality of this action largely depends on the terms of your existing lease and local tenant laws, which can vary widely. Generally, unless there is a clause in your lease that guarantees renewal under the same... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Who own the property? The bank ejected us while they were not the current owner of the property.

The bank took us to court on an ejectment case and won the case on 9/2023. However when the court granted the ejectment the bank was not the owner of the property. Another entity is listed as the owner in the recorder of deeds and on the tax statements. The bank lost possession of the property... View More

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answered on Mar 28, 2024

Ownership of a property is determined by who is listed as the owner in the official records at the recorder of deeds and on tax statements. If another entity, not the bank, is currently listed as the owner there and the bank had lost possession prior to the ejectment, then the legal ownership would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I be evicted for complaining about a neighbor smoking weed in the building where there are rules and regulations

And it's seeking into my apartment causing me health problems

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 26, 2024

If your building has clear rules and regulations against smoking, including the use of marijuana, and the smoke is seeping into your apartment, causing health issues, you should not be at risk of eviction for making a complaint. Landlords are typically required to ensure that all tenants can enjoy... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I need to know can I be evicted for complaining about a neighbor smoking weed where there are rules and regulations

And it's causing me health problem because it seeks into my apartment

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 26, 2024

You cannot typically be evicted for raising legitimate complaints about a neighbor's behavior that is affecting your health, especially if there are clear rules and regulations against such behavior in your housing agreement. If your neighbor's smoking is causing health problems and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a manager tape his office window with paper in the building management dept.its. Humiliating to the tenants .

We pay rent to talk to him .he is working for privacy he can go home

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 26, 2024

Whether a manager can cover his office windows with paper largely depends on the policies of the building and the company. If privacy is needed, there are generally accepted ways to achieve this, such as using frosted glass or blinds, which ensure privacy without entirely blocking out the view.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: How early can my landlord require me to sign a new lease before he finds a new tenant?
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

When it comes to renewing your lease, your landlord may have a specific timeline in mind for when they would like to secure a new agreement. Typically, this process can begin anywhere from 30 to 90 days before your current lease is set to expire. This period allows both you and the landlord... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do we have to pay a full months rent if asked to leave early ?

We have a month to month lease. landlord is having us vacate on April 25th but also have new place and our move in date is the April 15th. Could we just advise we are moving out a sooner date and only pay up until then? The lease is more of a signed handshake deal. We never went through a township... View More

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answered on Mar 31, 2024

In a month-to-month lease, you typically pay rent for the entire month, regardless of which day you move out. However, given your situation, you have a few options:

1. Negotiate with your landlord: Explain your situation to your landlord and ask if they would be willing to prorate your rent...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: PA Landlord not renewing/have recovery of real prop hearing soon, amt on notice 3x's $ owe. how much time after hearing

I heard i can file a superseadas to stay in prop, and I can't afford 3x's rent to file that, my income dropped from 65k to 30k if that. the prothonatary won't give instructions to fill out, nor will the court office clerks. What steps and rights do i have?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

I understand you're facing a challenging situation with your landlord not renewing your lease and a pending hearing for recovery of the property. Here are some key points and suggestions:

1. Supersedeas: You mentioned filing a supersedeas to stay on the property. In PA, a supersedeas...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: What happens if the landlord you sign a lease with sells the property prior to moving in and no one notified the tenant?

A lease was signed by tenant & landlord but tentant already 3 mos on exisiting lease. The landlord offered 2 mos free rent (this was later learned it was to make the property more appealing to a buyer)but landlord sold the property before the tenant took possession. Neither the landlord who... View More

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answered on Mar 31, 2024

Based on the information you provided, there are a few key legal issues to consider:

1. Validity of the lease: Generally, when a property is sold, the new owner is bound by any existing leases. This means that your lease should still be valid even though the property was sold before you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my mom kick me out at 18 or is there anyway i’m protected from homelessness?

I’m from PA and i turned 18 about 4 months ago. my mom threatened to call the police on me to kick me out after an argument but when i told my friend he mentioned squatters rights would protect me so I was curious as to if that were true or if she can still kick me out within 3 days

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answered on Mar 31, 2024

In Pennsylvania, once you turn 18, you are legally considered an adult and your parents are no longer obligated to provide housing for you. However, if you have been living in the home, you may have some protections under landlord-tenant laws.

While your friend mentioned squatter's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my petitioner (father) evict me after I’ve arrived to the USA? I’ve only been for 2 weeks, green card hasn't arrived

I just moved here, haven’t even received my green card. My dad which is my petitioner just handed me an eviction letter. I’m 19 to be 20 in few months. Nowhere to go, don’t know no one here, eviction letter says that I have 30 days to vacate.

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answered on Feb 4, 2024

If your father, who petitioned for you to come to the United States, has given you an eviction letter, it's important to understand your rights and options. As a green card holder, or even if your green card has not yet arrived, you have certain protections under U.S. law. However, housing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have been renting a house for over 10 years. The owner died and now brother wants us out to settle estate.
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answered on Feb 1, 2024

If you've been renting a house for over 10 years and the owner has passed away, the situation may be subject to Pennsylvania's landlord-tenant laws and the terms of your existing lease agreement. Typically, in the event of the owner's death, their heirs or estate representatives... View More

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