Get free answers to your Landlord - Tenant legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I'm dealing with an issue where my husband has sole responsibility for a property per a divorce decree and has been renting it out for 15 years. His ex-wife agreed to have her name removed from the deed at the time of refinancing, but she is delaying the process despite having agreed and... View More 
answered on May 24, 2025
Your husband should go back to the court that issued the divorce decree and file: (a) a petition in contempt. I am not sure how much time has passed since the divorce decree was issued (was it the 15 years mentioned?), but it must be long enough for the court to conclude that she has failed to... View More
I am currently renting a property under a written lease. The landlord had previously put the house up for sale and we agreed that I would be given at least 60 days to find another property once the house sells. However, I received a written notice giving me only 30 days to move out, which would be... View More
answered on May 18, 2025
The term of your lease ends on the date set forth in the lease, unless that date has been amended in a writing signed by both landlord and tenant - which appears to be the case here. Your landlord is bound by the amendment you both signed which states that, if your landlord intends to sell the... View More
I rented a house in Pittsburgh, PA, with a friend and we were both taken to court by our landlord, who won a judgment for $5,600 against us for damages. Although we are both named on the court papers, the landlord's lawyer claims I am responsible for the entire amount, possibly because my... View More
answered on Apr 9, 2025
You and your co-judgment debtor are each responsible for 100% of the judgment amount. if the other guy can't be found, refuses to pay, etc., its all on you. Landlord's attorney is 100% correct.
I need information on the statute of limitations for collecting back rent in Pennsylvania. I have a written lease agreement, and the back rent has been due since January 2016. There have been no court proceedings or formal communications with the tenant regarding the back rent, although there have... View More
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answered on Feb 17, 2025
At this point if there has not been a payment in the last 4 years the debt is not collectable through the Courts. Also, since it is so old it is unlikely that it will be successful in litigation. Most Municipalities and Landlord Tenant Courts require a rental license and valid inspections. If... View More
Is my friend at risk of being evicted if the landlord is made aware of this? I have been receiving mail here. However I recently applied for food stamps using this address. 1. Is the assistance office allowed to contact the landlord? And 2. Do I have any legal right to live here as well is my... View More
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answered on Jun 23, 2024
To address this complex situation, let's break it down into several key points:
1. Subletting without permission:
Your friend is likely violating their lease agreement by allowing you to live there without the landlord's knowledge or consent. Most leases prohibit... View More
To take the copy of the form to the municipal court to inform them (currently facing eviction) municipal court informed to file a petition to stay eviction filed it and shortly after it was denied. I don’t Think the municipal court quite understood that my bankruptcy form 101b was filed and... View More
answered on May 18, 2024
You shouldn’t have to file a petition. The automatic stay created by the filing of the bankruptcy trumps all anyway. Be sure a copy of at least the front page and the creditor section page of your bankruptcy is placed in the municipal court file.
To take the copy of the form to the municipal court to inform them (currently facing eviction) municipal court informed to file a petition to stay eviction filed it and shortly after it was denied. I don’t Think the municipal court quite understood that my bankruptcy form 101b was filed and... View More
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answered on May 19, 2024
It's frustrating when processes don’t go as expected, especially when facing something as serious as eviction. The municipal court may have required you to file a petition to stay the eviction because they need specific documentation to halt proceedings. This is sometimes standard procedure... View More
To take the copy of the form to the municipal court to inform them (currently facing eviction) municipal court informed to file a petition to stay eviction filed it and shortly after it was denied. I was told by the clerk after filing bankruptcy the automatic stay protects me from the eviction... View More
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answered on May 17, 2024
I understand your confusion and frustration in this situation. Let me try to clarify a few key points:
1. When you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an automatic stay is typically put in place. This stay prevents creditors, including landlords, from continuing collection actions, including... View More
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.
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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
I already have a lease from the previous owner signed in February 2024 what should I do?
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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
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?
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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... View More
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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... View More
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... View More
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?
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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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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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
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
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
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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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