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Pennsylvania Tenant Rights



Guide to Pennsylvania Tenant Rights

If you are renting a home or apartment in the state of Pennsylvania, your rights as a tenant are protected by state (and sometimes local) laws.  Understanding PA tenant rights can help you stand up to a landlord who isn't living up to the terms of your lease.  This guide will explain some of your Pennsylvania tenant rights, as well as what you can do if you find that your landlord is violating your rights under the law.

Eviction

PA tenant rights require landlords to give notice before beginning the eviction process in court.  If you are being evicted due to a breach of your lease or a failure to pay rent on time, you may wish to consult with a Pennsylvania tenant rights attorney.  The only way a landlord is allowed to evict a tenant is through the legal, court process—PA tenant rights do not permit so-called “self help evictions.”  If your landlord is attempting to personally evict you by changing your locks, putting your belongings outside, or shutting off your utilities, you may be able to take them to court and win damages.

Habitability

When you rent an apartment, according to your Pennsylvania tenant rights, it must be habitable.  This means that it must have safe, drinkable hot and cold running water, functioning plumbing and sanitary systems, and electricity.  Your appliances should be in good working condition and the unit should be free from pests or your landlord is renting a dwelling that violates your PA tenant rights.

According to Pennsylvania tenant rights, landlords must make needed repairs to your property when necessary.  If your landlord is refusing to make your unit habitable, you can talk to your local Department of Health to have an inspection performed.  If your landlord does not respond to Department of Health requests to repair the issues, PA tenant rights allow you to withhold rent.  You may not withhold rent without Department of Health permission according to your Pennsylvania tenant rights.

If you have provided your landlord with notice about the habitability issues and it is an issue you can repair yourself, you may fix the problem yourself if your landlord does not respond.  PA tenant rights then allow you to deduct the costs of the repair from your rent.  You will need to provide receipts to your landlord.

Quiet Enjoyment

You have the right to enjoy your property and not have your landlord interfere with that enjoyment unless it is necessary.  Pennsylvania tenant rights allow landlords to enter a dwelling only for repairs or inspections, and only after providing reasonable notice.  Your landlord may enter your apartment without violating your PA tenant rights if emergency repairs are needed and giving notice would lead to further damage to possessions or danger to tenants.

Security Deposits

If your landlord has asked you to pay a security deposit, Pennsylvania tenant rights require that they give it back to you within 30 days of moving out.  If some of the deposit is used for repairs, your landlord is required to tell you what damage was done and what money was kept.  Landlords may not collect more than two months of rent as a security deposit.

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