Landlord-Tenant Law Articles
How To Collect a Landlord-Tenant Judgment in Pennsylvania
Many landlords know how to file an eviction action against a tenant who has failed to pay their rent. After the tenant is evicted, the landlord is completely aggravated since their rental property has not produced any income for months while the tenant has stayed in possession of the property without paying rent. The situation could also cause the landlord’s mortgage to fall into default only making matters worse.
Following the eviction hearing, the landlord will likely obtain a judgment for possession and for the rent in arrears that is owed. Most landlords simply want possession of the property back so they can locate a qualified tenant who has the ability to pay rent and they give up on collecting on the judgment. Collecting a judgment from a tenant can be quite a daunting task. However, it is not impossible and hopeless.
Pennsylvania Law Allows Landlords To Garnish Wages
Pennsylvania …
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What happens when a tenant appeals an eviction judgment for possession in PA?
Basics of the Eviction Process in Pennsylvania
When a landlord has a tenant who fails to pay rent, a landlord must file an eviction proceeding at the local magistrate court that has jurisdiction over the property. Once a complaint it filed, a hearing is scheduled.
The hearing is very straight forward. The landlord testifies that the tenant has failed to pay rent and a judgment is entered in the landlord’s favor for the amount of rent owed plus court costs and the court will grant the landlord possession.
If an appeal is not filed by the tenant within ten (10) days and the tenant remains in possession of the property, the landlord must then file an Order of Possession with the court so a constable to sheriff can perform the actual eviction to forcibly remove the tenant from the property.
Appeal Process When Tenant Appeals a Judgment Granting Possession
Although …
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Can a Landlord charge a Tenant for ordinary wear and tear?
In Pennsylvania, when your lease expires, it’s important to provide your landlord with your forwarding address so they can send you a list of damages within 30 days as they are required to do by law if a forwarding address is provided. If a forwarding address is provided and a landlord does not submit a written list of damages within 30 days, the landlord gives up its right to withhold any portion of the security deposit and will be liable for double the amount of the security deposit.
The next issue is what a landlord can and cannot deduct in PA from the security deposit for repairs. A landlord can charge tenants for cleaning and repairs to restore the rental unit to its original condition at the beginning of the tenancy. However, a landlord cannot charge a tenant for ordinary wear and tear.
For example, if there is a modest …
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