Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Request for Return of Security Deposit
This form prepares a letter for Pennsylvania tenants to send to your landlord to request the return of your security deposit. If appropriate, the letter will also notify your landlord that you wish to terminate your lease.
IMPORTANT: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. To use this form, you must have Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word installed on the computer you are using.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Notice of Appeal for Pennsylvania
This packet will prepare a "Notice of Appeal" form (as well as a Civil Cover Sheet) for filing an appeal from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas. Instructions for filing and service will be included.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. You will answer questions while connected to the Internet. After you answer all the questions, the program will prepare your completed documents for you.
IMPORTANT: To use this program, you must use Internet Explorer to see the questions and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Security Deposits
Information on tenants' rights relating to security deposits.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Security Deposits
Information for tenants on the amount of security deposits, how to obtain the return of your deposit, the landlord's obligations, and what to do if the landlord refuses to return the deposit.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Security Deposits in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information about deposits collected by your landlord when you rent an apartment or house.
By: Community Legal Services
Security Deposits
(Separate Website)
Information on your rigths relating to security deposits.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Security Deposits (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association discussed the situation where tenants do not receive their security deposits back from the landlords when they move out of the property. Find out what type of notice you need to give your landlord and what to do if your landlord does not give your deposit back.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Tips for Moving out and for Getting the Security Deposit Back
(Separate Website)
Information on recovering your security deposit
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
How to Protect Your Security Deposit
This informational brochure provides an overview of what a security deposit is and why you should create a checklist upon moving into an apartment.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Self-help Handbook for Tenants
This handbook provides useful information about renting an apartment and some of the basics of landlord-tenant law. For those looking for rental housing, the handbook has practical suggestions about what to look for while inspecting the rental unit and what questions to ask the landlord. For those who are already renting, the handbook discusses common problems such as nonpayment of rent or complaints about repairs.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Tenant and Landlord Relationships (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 7/12/07 - Consumer Protection Law in Pennsylvania and Landlord/Tenant Relationships. (28:15)
Host: Vince Brocki, NWLS Resource Developer Guests: John Gandrud, NWLS Attorney & David Hull, NWLS Attorney.
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Landlord Tenant Handbook
(Separate Website)
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Tenants' Rights - Going to Court
This brochure provides general information for tenants regarding district justice court hearings.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
A Tenant's Guide to Renting This handbook is designed to address some common problems that you may face as a tenant. It addresses a number issues including Searching for a rental unit; Reviewing and signing your lease; Moving into your new rental unit; Living in your rental unit and Moving out.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
How to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop: The District Justice Hearing
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial distirct Judge in a landord - tenant case, followed by a panel discussion featuring several judges describing some best practices for you to use at your hearing, as well as some things to avoid. The process in the video is typical of any civil case brought before a magisterial district judge in Pennsylvania.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Magisterial District Courts
Information about the procedures in Magisterial District Justice Court
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This informational packet provides information on how to file a lawsuit in Magiserial District Judge Court.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Security Deposits
(Separate Website)
Information on the legal issues concerning security deposits from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Renting a Home
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Landlord Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on security deposits and eviction notices from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Renting a Home or Apartment: Leases and Security Deposits
(Separate Website)
Information on leases and security deposits from the Office of the Attorney General
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951
(Separate Website)
Text of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 from the Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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