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Pennsylvania Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have tenants living in the house in PA. One-year lease is up on 7/31/22. How much notice not to renew I should give?

They have been living in the house for 3 years but every year we sign the new lease for 1 year. We have a clause stating that if either landlord or tenant don't wish to renew, either party has to give at least 30 days notice. I gave them the notice not to renew a few days ago but they claim it... View More

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Jun 13, 2022

You are right, unless the leased premises are a Manufactured (i.e., mobile) Home?

The only provision of the law requiring 3 months prior written notice of the expiration of the term of a lease is for a lease which is more than 1 year (which yours is not) and where the leased premises is a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Pennsylvania: Can a landlord force you to sign a new lease after signing the lease renewal request three months earlier?

I signed a lease renewal request form in November that obligated me to the prior lease agreement. The lease renewal was for 24 months with "all other lease terms will remain the same." This month, my landlord sent me a new lease and stated that I must sign it with the addendums. The new... View More

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Mar 2, 2022

It may sound as though the lease renewal request document limits the changes that could be made to the actual lease renewal, however, a definitive answer can’t be given unless the existing lease, the lease renewal request, the proposed new lease, and any interim correspondence between you and the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I lose my dog privileges at my aprt for walking my neighbors naughty dog that has a bite history? If he bites again?

I have two esa (dogs) at my aprt complex. I’ve never had a problem with them. I also walk my neighbors dog, I’ll call him “Wally”. Wally is legally on her lease. The problem is, Wally has nipped at an apartment employee before, with a different walker. The incident was reported and is now... View More

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Jan 22, 2022

It’s not possible to answer your question definitively without knowing what the pet provisions say in your lease. I suppose it’s possible that it could provide that a tenant who acts negligently when walkia dog” could be bYour arguments are logical and sound, but that doesn’t mean your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: My old landlord sold the building. The new landlord states that my lease is not valid.

The new landlord states that my lease is not valid because my old landlord renewed my lease after they came into an agreement. Now he has raised my rent an extra $250 a month starting November 1st. I live in Pennsylvania - can he do that? My rental agreement was year to year and wasn't to be... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 14, 2021

A lot depends on dates. What they are saying may hold if they gave you notice. If they didn't, then you may be able to claim under the old lease. Alternately, you could have a claim against the old landlord as he created an agreement when he lacked the power to perform under the agreement.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: My old landlord won't let me get my stuff out of the apartment. We weren't evicted. Just moved and wasn't late on rent.

I have contacted him 3 times this past week trying to get the rest of my stuff and he keeps telling me I can't come out to get it. I have several text messages with him arguing with me. I don't want a fight; just want my stuff.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 14, 2021

Why not contact the local police. He can't hold your items hostage.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my landlord evict me for not paying in full my water bill which is on a payment plan and is current?

I'm on the tiered assistance program (TAP) with the Philadelphia water department. I've got a set bill but a past balance that's put on hold while I'm on it. They forgive an amount after your pay 15 times. My landlords legal dept just sent me an email saying if I don't pay... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 14, 2021

Check your lease. Write them back and ask for the legal basis as you are not in default with the water department.

Check with community Legal Services Landlord Tennant branch.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: What is the difference between non-renewal of lease letter, and a notice to quit?

Landlord gave me non renewal of lease letter dated for 9/30. Said she want to sell this house. I do not owe any rent, nor violated the lease in any way, but I am only income to my family of 2 adults, and 3 children ages 16,11, and 3. I was handed this letter on 9/10. What are my options, if any? Is... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 29, 2021

They have to give you a 30 day notice to quit. I suggest you contact legal aid.Ask for their landlord tennant group.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My landlord doesn't want to renew my lease. She just gave me the letter and wants me out in 4 days. Is this legal?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 28, 2021

The Landlord has to give you notice equivalent to the term of the rental. If it's weekly, a weeks notice. If monthly, a month's notice.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: 37 years ago I gave my landlord a security deposit if $250. He just sent me a check for that amount

Minus $100 for things he had hauled out, so $150.00. Shouldn't there have been some interest in 37 years or can he just make a note that's what it was and spend it or whatever? 37 years!!!!

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 17, 2021

He is required to have it in an interest bearing account.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Moved out from apt in April-still waiting for security deposit that was made 37 years ago

Plus, shouldn't there be interest accrued in 37 years?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 13, 2021

You should send a written request, certified return receipt requested.

If you don't get it you have both an administrative and a court remedy.

Best of luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I rent a apartment inside my landlords home. It is a private 2nd floor full 2 bedroom apartment with a private entrance

Several times I have found her at the top of the steps outside my door listening to conversations when I have company. She has also brought up many things that she should not know about but has learned from eavesdropping. I live in PA. What can I do?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 16, 2021

Not much other than to say she has to understand that for you to feel comfortable staying there she has to not be listening in. At the same time, don't have conversations of any private nature in the room where the door to the hallway is, or drape an elegant curtain over that door with an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I rent and the tenants above me have been smoking indoors. The smoke odor is coming in to my apartment through the vents

I have reached out multiple times to the leasing office, but they have not helped. It's becoming unlivable for me - giving me a constant headache - and the smell is seeping into my furniture and clothes. What can I do?

Mark Scoblionko
Mark Scoblionko
answered on Jul 15, 2021

Your best bet is probably to move at the end of your lease. If your lease goes for an extended period, see if the landlord will allow you to leave early without a penalty.

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Are we responsible for leaving the fridge or buying the landlord a new one?

When we moved into our rental, the landlord provided a fridge with the house. We ended up inheriting a new fridge and the landlord took the fridge that was in the house so we could use ours. Now that we’re moving out, the landlord is saying that we either need to leave the fridge that we got or... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 2, 2021

Seems if he took the old one he should put it back. It would be different i

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can my former landlord file legal actions for leaving a few pieces of junk behind during a frantic move out?

We were given 30 days to move out, via a text message and during the move out some things were left behind. The landlord send my roommate a text message threatening legal action if we didn't get the stuff out. He couldn't even ask politely if it was just missed in the move.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 2, 2021

So get the stuff out now. So he isn't polite--but he's not saying he had someone move it and is charging you. Get it done, ASAP. If the place is locked you need to make arrangments to get in to move it.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am a landlord and don't want to renew my tenant's lease, what steps do I take?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 2, 2021

You look at the lease. It will normally have a paragraph about how you will notify the tennant if you are not renewing the lease.

You can deliver them a letter stating that the choice has been made not to renew. You would want to do this 30 days before the lease is up, and that you are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: A landlord on Facebook called me racist slurs, can I share our messages to a Facebook group to warn potential renters?

The content of our conversation would include a video of the place, address etc. that she voluntarily sent me on Facebook Marketplace. The audience would be one of those housing groups on Facebook.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 11, 2021

It would have to be very carefully worded. If you have a concern, perhaps the Human Relations Commission would be a better place?

3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have a month to month lease, landlord served me today with a lease termination, is this legal during covid-19
Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Jun 2, 2021

Yes. The Pennsylvania Governor's Order didn't affect a landlord's right to terminate a monthly lease or have a tenant evicted for any reason other than non-payment of rent. It also required that a non-paying tenant provide certain statements concerning the tenant's non-payment of ren

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Landlord damaged garage door when attempting to fix electronic door opening issues.

We are in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Garage door wouldn't open. The garage door was badly damaged when the landlord tried to the fix garage door opener.

Landlord says 1-2 months until fixed.

Landlord left the garage door mangled and we were left with the task of trying to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on May 25, 2021

See if the landlord will let you fix it or if he will let your other car out. If you are on a lease it's a likely lease violation. But don't do stuff yourself otherwise he can flip it and say you damaged the property.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do you evict someone that doesn’t have a lease but pays month to month?

The lease was held by his ex-girlfriend. After they split, he stayed and continued to pay the rent for 3 years.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on May 25, 2021

He is a monthly tenant. You serve him with a notice to quit a month before. You keep a copy of what you served him. If he doesn't leave, you can then file with the district justice.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: My husband and I are both on the lease but only his name is on the eviction. Can I fight it?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on May 25, 2021

You should be able to, I would check with legal aid in your county to see if they can give you some advice specific to your facts. However if served with papers you need to file an answer to avoid a default judgment.

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