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.
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
Pennsylvania Affordable Apartment Locator
(Separate Website)
The Apartment Locator was developed by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency as a tool to link consumers to affordable housing options throughout the Commonwealth. It is intended to be an aid for consumers who are searching for affordable apartments and for property managers and developers who wish to market their affordable vacant units.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
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
Tenants! Being Evicted?
Information on tenants' rights upon eviction.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Private Housing Evictions
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights when you are evicted from private housing.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Eviction Process
(Separate Website)
Information regarding tenants' rights and the eviction process. Section of Landlord Tenant Handbook from north Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Eviction Procedures in Pennsylvania (Video)
Information for tenants in northwestern Pennsylvania on private Landlord/Tenant Law and your rights as a tenant when being evicted by your landlord from your home, including the legal procedures involved in evictions. Presented by Attorney Andrea Amicangelo. March 2011. (9:40)
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
Landlord Tenant Handbook
(Separate Website)
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Landlord Tenant Overview and Notice Requirements
Informational brochure providing an overview of landlord tenant law and notice requirements.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
What Kind of Notice to Vacate Is Required for Residential Leases under Pennsylvania Law?
(Separate Website)
Information on notice requirements in eviction.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
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
Illegal Lockouts (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association explains tenants' rights under the law in Pennsylvania that offer protection against self-help evictions when the landlord changes the locks or renders the property unusable without following the property eviction procedures.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Evictions in Southeastern Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information on the eviction process for residents of southeastern Pennsylvania.
By: Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Landlord Self-Help Evictions
(Separate Website)
Informaaiton on your rights when your landlord tries to evict you without going to court.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
The Eviction Process in Philadelphia County
(Separate Website)
Information on the eviction process. (specific to Philadelphia area)
By: Community Legal Services
Unlawful Lockouts in Philadelphia County, PA
(Separate Website)
Informaiton on how to deal with a lockout by your landlord in Philadelphia County.
By: Community Legal Services
Emergency Shelter Allowance
(Separate Website)
Information on the Emergency Shelter Allowance available from the Department of Public Welfare.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Evictions and Wage Attachments
(Separate Website)
Information on when your wages can be attached by a former landlord.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Magisterial District Courts
Information about the procedures in Magisterial District Justice Court
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
Tips for Representing Yourself at the Magisterial District Justice Hearing
(Separate Website)
Information on representing yourself at a Magisterial District Justice hearing
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Defending an Action at the District Justice Office
Informational brochure which outlines the procedure in defending an action at district justice court in central Pennsylvania.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Magisterial District Judge Court - Defense
This informational packet provides information when defending an action filed with the Magisterial District Judge Court.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
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
Tenants' Rights - Going to Court
This brochure provides general information for tenants regarding district justice court hearings.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Appealing the Magisterial District Justice Judgment
(Separate Website)
Information on appealing a District Justice judgment
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Filing an Appeal of an Eviction (Video)
This video outlines the steps that you need to take in order to file an appeal of an eviction decision from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. Specific instructions are given for cases in counties served by Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Ejectment
(Separate Website)
Information on what ejectment is and when it may be used.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
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
Implied Warranty of Habitability
(Separate Website)
Information on your right to a residence fit for human habitation.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Tips for Moving out and for Getting the Security Deposit Back
(Separate Website)
Information on recovering your security deposit
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
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
Landlord Tenant Packet [PDF] This is a comprehensive (31 pages) self-help packet designed to assist Central Pennsylvania tenants deal with various landlord/tenant problems. PDF Format
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Renting a Home
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Residential Tenant Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on rights of tenants from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Landlord Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on security deposits and eviction notices from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Frequently Asked Questions - Landlord Tenant Relations
(Separate Website)
Answers to common questions about landlord tenant relations.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
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Information, Not Legal Advice. We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date noted in the materials. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct.
We do not intend this information to legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through your local legal aid organization. Always talk to a competent lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.
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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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