How to Stop Eviction in Pennsylvania

Renters have rights, too.

In Pennsylvania, you can be evicted for failure to pay rent, breaking a lease agreement or failing to move when your lease has expired. However, your landlord cannot evict you for a discriminatory purpose, such as your age, race, gender, religion or marital status. If your landlord files an eviction against you, there are a few steps you can take to stop the eviction.

Instructions

1. 

   Money talks

   Pay your rent. If the eviction is for non-payment of rent, you have the right to "pay and stay." You must pay the overdue rent plus all court costs in order to stop the eviction.

2. Prove that the rental is unfit to live in. You must prove to the court that you complained on numerous occasions to the landlord about unsafe conditions in the house or apartment, but that he or she ignored your concerns. It is best to have all complaints documented in writing. Proving that the premises are unsafe will stop the eviction.

3. Attend court. If your landlord files an eviction, be sure to attend the hearing. If the landlord does not attend court, you can ask the court to dismiss the case and stop the eviction. If the landlord presents his or her case and you lose, you will have 10 days to appeal the eviction. In order to stay in your rental during the appeal, you must pay three months rent.

References

• Pennsylvania Evictions

Resources

• Pennsylvania Evictions