Landlords, Are You Preparing To Evict A Residential Tenant?

Many landlords who have not yet gone through an eviction hearing hold the belief that if necessary, evicting a tenant is as simple as filing the paperwork at the district justice and attending the hearing. This is not true — there are many laws and procedures in place to protect a tenant’s rights through the eviction process. If proper eviction procedures are not followed, an eviction can and will be denied by the district justice. A denied eviction can cost you, the landlord, a lot of money.

Ask Yourself These Questions

1. How much, if any, notice I should give a tenant before filing an eviction at the district justice?

2. Do I have any obligations to my tenant that are not expressly written in the lease? If so, what are they?

3. Can I change the locks on the rental unit if my tenant does not pay the rent?

4. After I receive an eviction judgment in my favor, when and how can I force my tenant out if my tenant refuses to leave?

5. The district justice not only evicted my tenant, but also gave me a money judgment. Now what?

6. My tenant moved out and provided no forwarding address. Can I keep their security deposit?

Get The Legal Help You Need

If you do not know the answers to these questions, or if you have other landlord/tenant questions, call Laura Robbins Law, L.L.C., at 814-753-4625 or complete the online form. I can provide the legal knowledge you need for your residential landlord/tenant matters. Specifically, I can provide you with a consultation, document review and legal representation. Knowing your rights and obligations is an excellent way to maintain a good reputation as a landlord, and an excellent way to learn how to manage a tenant who refuses to abide by the terms and conditions of your lease.