The Landlord's Legal Guide in Pennsylvania Book

Using Self-Help Law Books
Introduction
Chapter 1: Laws That Govern Rental Property

Pennsylvania Landlord/Tenant Law

Which Pennsylvania Laws Apply?

Applicability of the Landlord/Tenant Act

Nursing Homes and Related Facilities

Local Laws

Pennsylvania Plain language Consumer Contract Act

Federal Laws

Doing Further Research

Good Faith Obligation

Fictitious Names

Sales and Use Tax
Chapter 2: Creating the Landlord/Tenant Relationship

Screening Prospective Tenants

Discrimination

Agreements to Lease

Leases and Rental Agreements

Lease or Rental Agreement Clauses

Oral Leases

Problem Clauses

Options

Forms

Signatures

Backing Out of a Lease
Chapter 3: Handling Security Deposits

Amount

Bank Account and Notice

Interest

Bond Instead of Escrowing

Keeping the Deposit

Special Rules
Chapter 4: Responsibility for Maintenance

Landlord’s Duties

Code Violations

Warranty of Habitability

Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment

Uninhabitability Under City Rent Withholding Act

Tenant’s Rights

Tenant’s Duties
Chapter 5: Landlords’ Liabilities

Injuries on the Premises

Protection from Liability for Injuries

Crimes against Tenants

Protection from Liability for Crimes

Crimes by Tenants against Nontenants
Chapter 6: Changing the Terms of the Tenancy

Assignment or Sublease by Tenant

Transfer of Property by Landlord

Raising the Rent

Modifying theLease
Chapter 7: Problems During the Tenancy

Landlord’s Access to the Premises

Violations by the Tenant

Violations by the Landlord

Destruction of the Premises
Chapter 8: Problems at the End of the Tenancy

Tenant Holding Over

Damage to the Premises

Property Abandoned by Tenant

Utility Service Tenant Rights Act
Chapter 9: Terminating a Tenancy109

Termination at End of the Lease Term

Early Termination by Tenant

Early Termination by Landlord

Common Landlord Mistakes

Special Rules for Public Housing

Death of Tenant

Options to Cancel
Chapter 10: Evicting a Tenant121

Self-Help by Landlord

Surrender or Abandonment

Legal Process Available

Settling with the Tenant

Grounds for Eviction

Terminating the Tenancy

Using an Attorney

Who Can Sue?

Who Decides Landlord-Tenant Disputes?

Court Procedures for Evictions

Claims by Defendant

Subpoena of Witnesses and Witness Testimony

Hearings and Evidence

Arbitration

Stipulation

Judgment

Forcible Entry and Ejectment

Tenant’s Possible Defenses

Fair Housing Commission

Abandonment after Dismissal

Tenant’s Bankruptcy

Appeal to Court of Common Pleas
Chapter 11: Money Damages and Back Rent

Making a Claim

Amount

Philadelphia Municipal Court Landlord-Tenant Proceedings

Failing to Appear

Trial

Judgments and Other Orders

Making Claims for Back Rent

Hearings
Chapter 12: Self Service Storage Space

Applicability

Withholding Access

Liens
Chapter 13: Mobile Home Parks

Mobile Home Park Rights Act

Basic Rights and Obligations of Park Owners

Grounds for Eviction

Eviction Procedures
Appendix A: Pennsylvania Statutes
Appendix B: Eviction Flowcharts and Legal Holidays
Appendix C: Forms
Index