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.
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
Request to Landlord for Repairs
This form prepares a letter for Pennsylvania tenants to send to your landlord asking that repairs be done to your rental unit. This letter should be used as the initial request to your landlord.
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
Request for Reasonable Accommodation
This form prepares a "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" for disabled tenants in Pennsylvania. You can send the request to a landlord, if you need changes to your rental unit or rental program because of your disability.
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
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 Overview and Notice Requirements
Informational brochure providing an overview of landlord tenant law and notice requirements.
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
Landlord Tenant Handbook
(Separate Website)
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn 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
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
Tenants! Being Evicted?
Information on tenants' rights upon eviction.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
Tenants' Rights - Going to Court
This brochure provides general information for tenants regarding district justice court hearings.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Private Housing Evictions
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights when you are evicted from private housing.
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
Dealing with situations while renting
(Separate Website)
Information for tenants regarding situationa that occur while renting an apartment or house. Section of Landlord Tenant Handbook by North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Your Right as a Tenant to a Decent Home
Information on tenants' rights relating to housing
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Landlord's Duty To Make Repairs
(Separate Website)
Information on a landlord's duty to repair rental property
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Warranty of Habitability
Informational brochure on warranty of habitability and a landlord's responsibility to provide a safe home.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Deduct & Repair - Tenant's Right to a Safe and Decent Home
Informational guide for tenant which explains their right to a safe and decent home
By: MidPenn Legal Services
What Should I Do When I Need Repairs In My Apartment Or House?
(Separate Website)
Options for tenants when their home needs repairs. Section of LandLord Tenant Handbook from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Implied Warranty of Habitability
(Separate Website)
Information on your right to a residence fit for human habitation.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Habitability Law in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information on the implied warranty of habitability that is present in all Pennsylvania leases.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Housing Code Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet outlining various house code issues and tenants rights
By: MidPenn Legal Services
The Right of Quiet Enjoyment
(Separate Website)
Information on a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment
Information for tenants and your right to quiet enjoyment of your premises.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
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
Security Deposits
Information on tenants' rights relating to security deposits.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
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
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
How to Keep Someone off Your Property Information about kepping people off your property and the law relating to defiant trespass
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Tenant Responsibilities
(Separate Website)
Information on the responsibilities of tenants.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
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.
Replevin
(Separate Website)
Infromation on your rights when someone takes possession of your personal property (not real estate).
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
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
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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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