Eviction Laws in Pennsylvania

Much like other states, Pennsylvania has strict eviction laws. Failure to pay rent, excessive disorderly conduct, willful destruction or damage to property, habitual lateness in paying rent, violation of rules and regulations outlined in a lease or document, and the tenant’s conviction for a drug offense are all legal reasons why a landlord can evict a resident.

A landlord must give a tenant a written notice to correct a lease violation. If the tenant does not correct said violation within the period of time given, the landlord can file a complaint. If a corporation the landlord or tenant must be represented by an attorney in all matters filed in the court. They cannot be represented by anyone that is not a lawyer.

The only way for a landlord to evict their tenants is by an eviction notice. They must provide the reason for the eviction and the date that they want the tenants to leave. The notice must be personally delivered or posted on the door of the dwelling. If the tenants do not leave within the time given by the landlord, assuming the situation is done properly, the landlord would have to file a formal complain with the District Justice’s office.

You cannot be evicted because of your race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, or that of a household member. It is illegal to evict someone because they are disabled or uses a guide dog or other support animal. They cannot legally evict you if you or someone in your home is pregnant or has children. Also, you can’t be evicted for complaining about bad housing conditions or exercising your other legal rights. You can also prevent an eviction if you can provide proof that you didn’t pay rent because the place you live was unfit. You would have to prove that you complained to your landlord and that they wouldn’t fix anything.

If you are being evicted for not paying rent and were taken to court, you can stop the eviction before you’re actually evicted by paying the amount the district justice has ordered, including court costs. This is the right to pay and stay. It’s best to pay as soon as possible to avoid deeper court costs. Also, your landlord cannot evict you by locking you out, shutting off utilities, using force to evict you, or anything other than the eviction notice and going to court.

To help avoid eviction there are assistant programs that have emergency shelter assistance programs for people who need help paying rent or a security deposit for a place to live. If you have financial problems and are trying to find a nice and affordable place to live, apply for subsidized housing with your local housing authority. The only way a landlord is not required to give written notice of eviction is if there is drug-related criminal activity in the rented area.