Pennsylvania Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
Q: I filed a eviction for non-payment of 2 months rent ,damages,and utility bills which were never payed. We go to court.
She reveals she left a few days ago and claims harassment from a third party phone call by a relative of mine. Which was news to me and sounded bad to be honest . The judge decides she doesn’t need to pay us back anything . But now that she has left there are unpaid ullity bills,the house is a... Read more »
I would file the appeal. Also report her.
Q: Couple I'm renting to are breaking up and one of them wants to leave. Who is the responsible party?
The problem is that the person who is leaving is the one that provided the security deposit. And I don't believe that the remaining person can afford the rent by themself. The lease expires at the end of the year. Who do I hold responsible? Who's security deposit am I holding?
What does your lease state? If they both signed the lease, they are both responsible.
Q: Mom just passed away. Left me and siblings each 1/3 of house. Oldest brother moved his g/f in, how do I get her out?
I am the youngest of us 3, and I am named the Executrix in my moms will. I can't meet with an Estate Attorney until August 13 and found out my brother moved his girlfriend into my moms house with him. (She has her own key) He thinks he is owed everything and has lived there scott free for 7... Read more »
This is a fairly common scenario and the answer is always the same. First, you need to hire a probate attorney to assist you with getting the house retitled in the names of the three heirs. Discuss this with your attorney, but as executor, you may have the duty to eject your brother and his... Read more »
Q: If I'm paying rent does the owner have the right to tell me that I can't have visitors over.
Typically, no -- but your written lease should give you the answer. If there's nothing in the written lease concerning visitors, then there's no prohibition on you having guests over.
If the lease is verbal only, I still don't think there's any legal right of the landlord to restrict your... Read more »
Q: Do I have a case against him if I were to take him to civil court?
My landlord is refusing to return my security deposit being that I ended the lease early. However he breached the terms of the lease on multiple occasions. He entered the property without adequate notice or any notice at all. He bug bombed the house causing my roommate to become ill. He also failed... Read more »
Generally he can't hold the security deposit. however he can make a claim for the balance of the lease though he has an obligation to find a tenant. A lot depends on who did what when. Suggest you consult a lawyer who handles landlord tenant issues. If you're eligible for Legal Aid that would be... Read more »
Q: I own a rental property in Upper Darby, PA. for which the tenant needs eviction for non-payment of rent.
The amount owed is approx. $7000 and I live out if state and I am legally disabled. A relative lives near the property.
You should hire an attorney. Suggest you contact legal services, find out which of their housing unit lawyers is now in private practice, and hire them as they know all the defenses and can get around them.
Q: Need help to decide notice to Quit deadline
In a nutshell, tenant had written month to month lease signed less than 6 months ago, but lived there for 17 month on verbal lease. Tenant ended their written lease agreement with a 30 day notice on the 1st of month. I acknowledged the lease ending and noted that I expect tenant to move out at the... Read more »
You gave him the 30 days. File at the magistrate then give him the 10 day notice the day before you file.
Q: Can someone I stayed with as a guest demand rent at a later date?
I am getting divorced. My boyfriend offered for me to move in with him and even said not to worry about paying house expenses. There was no agreement or discussion about rent. After about two months we broke up and I left. Now he is demanding I pay him rent for the time I was there and wants... Read more »
He can ask. That doesn't mean you are obligated. There was no agreement as terms hadn't been discussed and accepted. Just politely say "that was never discussed. I'm sorry you feel that way but I don't see that I owe that." leave it there. I assume you have all your stuff out and are in a... Read more »
Q: Do I still owe rent for October and November since it will take another 2 weeks (Nov 10th) to completely move out?
Hi I live in PA and I’m currently renting. I am in the process of buying a house. The offer has been accepted I just need to get it inspected and sign closing papers. My lease says it ends October 31 and we already paid last months rent when we began the lease.
The house is going to be... Read more »
Yes unless you work something out with your landlord.
Q: When does rent begin, with no agreement? Storage? My CA niece put some belongings in my PA house, left on vacation.
Would rent start at storage date? Or, actual move in date? Thanks
Under the circumstances, there is no agreement as she left without apparently you or she coming to terms. If you came to terms, it starts when she leaves the items. Assuming her vacation isn't the Endless Summer, have her get the stuff out when she gets back.
Q: mom loving hpuse. No rent just bills and up and left now power if off
She wasn’t to pay rent just utilities. But she left over a month ago and now the electric has been terminated to the property.
I'm sorry but I don't see a question here. Maybe your best bet is o make an appointment with a family law attorney to discuss your situation.
Q: Can my landlord shut down my house and leave me with no where to go? Our lease just renewed and we're paid up
This house gave my 2 year old lead poisoning and he doesn't want to fix it now he just wants to shut down the house
Unfortunately the landlord can do what he wants.
Q: whats the next step in serving someone who is avoiding being sued.
I am sueing my previous landlord for the failure of my security deposit. he did not show up for i had to pay a constable to serve him. constable was unsuccessful in serving him. what is next?
Did the appeal period pass? If it did file your judgment in the court of common please in your county. The execute on the judgment. Serve everything by regular mail and certified.
Q: To review a lease-to-purchase agreement given by homeowner's lawyer
I can review your lease to purchase, my hourly rate is $250 an hour. Please email me the document my email is emt@tarasilaw.com my office phone number is 412-391-7135
Q: My landlord is threatening to terminate my lease which is month to month at this point since i've been here nine years.
I have an active investigation open with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission over an outstanding bill that I am disputing. He got an email stating they are shutting me off and he needs to be there to let them in. #1 Wants to charge me 50 dollars an hour while he waits for PGW. #2 Threatened me with... Read more »
If you are on month to month he can terminate with a month's written notice, and doesn't need a reason.
He can't insist on waiting time.
If you have a PUC issue you need to get the PUC's public ombudsman involved in the bill you contest and the shutoff.
You may be eligible... Read more »
Q: Rent increased by $100. Landlord says if we don't want to pay that we have to be out in 2 weeks. Is this legal?
I have lived here for 3 years, with my 2 children, both under two. Always pay rent on time and don't cause any trouble. We moved from a one bedroom here, to one of their 2 bedrooms. Landlord never renewed our lease, so we have been here for 2 years without a lease. Today, July 16, he brought us,... Read more »
If you pay rent every two weeks possibly. If you pay rent once a month you a)are good until the end of that month b) need 30 days written notice.
Suggest you speak with someone from legal aid if you can't afford a lawyer.
Q: Can you appeal a descion from landlord to get rid of dog?
So a few days ago we tied our dog outside and went in to get the watering can. Within that time(30 secs) our neighbor was outside with our dog saying he got loose and ran up to someone. No one was around to ask what happened(victim or otherwise) 30 mins later cops our at our dog for a report on a... Read more »
Check your lease. You haven't said what breed of dog he is. If he is strong enough to pull a stake out of the ground then chances are no court will side with you.
Second, he knocked someone down. That's aggression. You may think it's cute. The fact you wrote the above says no one else did.... Read more »
Q: I am about 2 months late on my rent, my lease is up July 1st, but says it renews automatically do I have to leave NOW?
I know he can evict me but he has been threatening to make me hate life, has made sexual advances, I have small children my only concern is that he cannot make me leave immediately I am trying to save up to move I just don't have the money yet and he hasn't served me an actual eviction notice at... Read more »
I will take time for the eviction proceedings - so the answer is - he can’t evict you “immediately”
Q: How much notice to evict an inherited tenant that refused to sign a lease, smokes pot, and props open security doors.
He does pay rent. His old lease with previous landlord is expired.
He's converted to an at will tenant I believe. Notice period would be the period of the rent--if it's two weeks than 2 weeks notice, to be on the safe side make it 30 days.
See if he'll agree to leave. If he does--or doesn't--put something that is very factual, in writing so later there's... Read more »
Q: My landlord doesn't have license to rent and I've been charged rent for a bit over a year.
My question is, can I get my rent money back as they can't legally collect the rent with expired business license. I'm thinking about a whole year rent money.
Unlikely that you'd get the money back as you lived there. Suggest you contact Legal Services for your county; ask for the landlord tenant unit.
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