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Pennsylvania Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Hi I'm John and will soon be attending Johnson and Whales. I was wondering if it's legal to live in a self storage area.
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 30, 2020

Probably violates an ordinance and the storage area won't like it. Maybe look for some deal where you clean in exchange for a break on the rent.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Landlord - Tenant and Municipal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it illegal for me to take my break outside of my building under the awning?

New tenant in the building is telling people who work in my office they are not allowed to stand in front of their office on the first floor. We have an awning on the building that protects from rain. I am not impeding the flow of traffic or talking to anyone. I work in the same building on a... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 12, 2020

Depends on how the lease defines that space. If it's part of the public entrance, anyone can stand there. Your employer may want to suggest to the landlord some alternative or approach the business owner on the first floor.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: my lease says the landlord can do a non-renewal of lease 60 days before. Some lawyer sent me the non-renewal of lease

is that allowed? and if that is the case shouldnt the letter say the lawyer is representing the landlord?

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Feb 4, 2020

Technically, you may have an argument. There does exist a case concerning a long-term commercial lease with a similar provision which held that a letter declaring a non-monetary default sent by an unknown lawyer was not effective because the unknown person didn’t identify himself as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Suspect gas lines aren't setup properly. Overcharged on gas bills.

My gas Bill's tripled dec and Jan. $140 in dec and $193 jan. I live in an efficiency smaller than most hotel rooms. I paid less in 3 bedroom houses monthly in past even in winter. I keep bugging and disputing and landlords avoiding. Bill is due Friday. Can I call gas company out without his... View More

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Feb 3, 2020

I assume that you live in a building which houses more than one tenant; that neither you nor any other tenant has its own gas meter; that you have lived at the building for a long time and that you have a written lease with a term longer than month-to-month; that you have read the lease carefully... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Northwestern, P.A. I want to confirm My understanding of the law n looking for 2 case laws to look up.

In P.A. The landlords need to wait for the time frame they gave in the “notice to Evict”, before going to the court to File a “Writ of Possession. My understand is Yes. If my hunch is right, can you be so kind as to let me know to case laws to look up, please. Thank you

Elizabeth Tarasi
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answered on Feb 1, 2020

In Pennsylvania, a law called the Landlord/Tenant Act tells landlords what they must do to evict a tenant. The landlord has to follow this law no matter the reason for the eviction. (This law may not apply if you are staying in a rooming or boarding home, or are a guest in a hotel/motel.)

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: My landlords just informed me today that my rent will be more than doubling with the renewal lease. what can I do?

They told me it is because my rent was a special rate at the time I signed the lease. However the realtor and the rental company failed to disclose this information before I signed the lease. My rent is now going from 1250 to 2725. Is there anything I can do?

Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Jan 3, 2020

Not much you can do, except move out. If the rental market in your area for tenants is not good, you may ask the landlord for a short term renewal for a few months so you have some time to find a new apartment. Make sure it’s a “ renewal” as opposed to an “extension” because a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Jan 2, 2020

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am a renter. I have had no heat for 6 DAYS. Do I have the right to a rent reduction?

I pay the electric. I provided the space heaters. the heater is more than 20 years old.

Elizabeth Tarasi
Elizabeth Tarasi pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 20, 2019

Read you lease. Let your landlord know that you have no heat. Ask you landlord to provide accommodations with heat at his cost.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: I would like to know my rights and as to whether I'm a tenant or a guest in Pennsylvania

I have been invited to live with my sister in law, I've been here for 2 months and the utilities are in my name. Apparently the landlord didnt know and he told them I had to leave by friday but no written notice. I dont want my family evicted but I dont want to be forced out without time to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Dec 11, 2019

If there is a lease that governs who can living in the property--as far as number of adults. These are frowned upon, however the question is why does the landlord have an issue with it? Technically if the tennant pays rent, barring a lease provision there should not be a problem. If there is no... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do I have to give defendants in a civil action a 20 day notice of a subpoena to produce documents?

I am the plaintiff in a ejectment action. I served , by certified mail, a subpoena to my tenants ( Defendants ) to produce documents. Their Attorney filed a motion to quash subpoena because I didn’t give them 20 day notice.

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Mark Scoblionko
Mark Scoblionko
answered on Nov 28, 2019

A subpoena would ordinarily be used to require a non-party to appear for a deposition or produce documents. It is not used to request another party to appear or produce documents. Your lawyer can serve the defendants with a Request for Production or a Notice of Deposition, as the case may be.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: What law if any prevents a landlord from going through personal belongings, for example my desk drawer?

This desk drawer contains personal belongings including my passport and checkbook.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 26, 2019

Privacy rights. I assume you hadn't abandoned the apartment or had your stuff removed.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: We rent a house from his parents. We are divorcing. It’s civil. I am disabled. Can his parents evict me.

The house and land were to be inherited by us.

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Sep 4, 2019

Yes, they can.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Elizabeth Tarasi
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answered on Aug 14, 2019

I would file the appeal. Also report her.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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?

Elizabeth Tarasi
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answered on Aug 9, 2019

What does your lease state? If they both signed the lease, they are both responsible.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
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answered on Aug 5, 2019

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... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: If I'm paying rent does the owner have the right to tell me that I can't have visitors over.
Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
answered on Jul 10, 2019

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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 12, 2019

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 4, 2019

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Elizabeth Tarasi
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answered on Dec 14, 2018

You gave him the 30 days. File at the magistrate then give him the 10 day notice the day before you file.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
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... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 3, 2018

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... View More

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