Bethlehem, PA asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania

Q: I will be renting my father in law house, he will be leaving the house in Jan 17 and we then will start the lease.

Do we have to pay the whole month for January? He wants us to pay 2,000 by January 17 for Security deposit and rent, also the house has a basement and my brother in law rents it and will be paying my father in law but will be using water and electricity which will be in our bill. Please help me with this problem. Thank you

1 Lawyer Answer
Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Norristown, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: Sounds like your problem is that you don't have a written lease - and that's why you have unanswered questions. A written lease will explicitly set out the lease term (when it starts, and ends, and for how long). A written lease will also determine on what date your rent is due, and what security deposit is required.

Reduce your presently-loose agreement with your father-in-law to writing and your questions will be answered - and tell him you want one. You should also figure out how the water/electricity bills will be divided between you and your brother-in-law *before* you move in. For example, if he's going to be using an electric space heater down there 24/7, that's going to use a lot of electricity . . . .

Best of luck to you.

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