Landlord Tenant Lawyers in Media, PA

The services our real estate attorneys provide include drafting important documents to facilitate transactions, such as:

• Warning Letters
• Demand Letters
• Termination of Tenancy Letters

At the Delaware County law firm of Gibson and Perkins, PC, we strive to protect the legal property rights of our clients. Read on to learn about some of the common problems our landlord tenant lawyers in Media, PA can guide you through for the best possible outcome.

Tenants Who Don’t Pay

Landlords have the right to receive rent payments and reimbursements in a timely manner for expenses due to damage to rental property beyond normal wear and tear.

Landlord attorneys can draft renter agreements that clarify expectations regarding rent payments, grace periods, and late fees. These agreements also enable landlords to clearly delineate rules and expectations regarding visitors, pets, noise restrictions, and anything else tenants need to adhere to.

Having properly drafted agreements helps protect landlord rights by establishing mutually agreed upon terms from the start by streamlining next steps should a landlord need to commence the eviction process.

What to Know When Tenants Miss Rent Payments

As a landlord, it’s important to maintain open communication with tenants. If a tenant misses a rent payment, it’s best to get in touch right away. There’s no benefit to playing the “waiting and wondering game” if your tenant fails to pay the rent on time.

In addition, be sure to keep detailed records of communications with tenants — whether or not you reached them or received a response.

In Pennsylvania, the eviction process is not as simple as changing the locks. The “Notice to Quit” requirement stipulates that your eviction notification must be hand-delivered or posted at the property — instead of being mailed. The purpose of the notice is to make tenants aware of their options, giving them time to rectify problems or vacate the property.

If your tenant has not paid you or moved out within the required timeframe after being provided with a Notice to Quit, you can ask the court for a hearing. The outcome will then be determined by the ruling of the judge who hears your case.

Disruptive Tenants

It’s important not to ignore complaints by one or more tenants about another. Here again, communication is important so unhappy tenants feel heard, and if warranted, let the disruptor know of issues that must be addressed.

Record-keeping is important here as well, as is having a well-crafted lease agreement. The more detailed the expectations of tenant conduct in the lease, the easier it will be for you to call out bad behavior when communicating with the disruptive party. For instance, “The lease specifically states that ‘No loud music is permitted after 10:00 p.m.’”

Having a document that covers as many tenant problem behaviors as you can anticipate will enable you to review the lease agreement with the disruptive party as a straightforward way to address the issue. It helps move the discussion from the “opinion zone” to that of objective observations. Instead of “It’s not polite to play loud music after 10:00 p.m,” the conversation becomes, “‘this’ behavior is occurring, and the least specifically states the behavior is prohibited.”

As problematic issues are addressed, it’s important to give accused tenants the benefit of the doubt until you have the whole picture. Sometimes tenants are unaware their behaviors are violating the lease agreement and are willing to correct the situation.

Keeping consistent records will help you proceed to the eviction process if a tenant has been notified of a problem but is not interested in making things right by the specified deadline.

Tenants Engaged in Criminal Activities

Landlords don’t always realize if a tenant is conducting criminal activities from one of their rental units, they themselves can be found financially and legally liable.

A lease agreement that specifically prohibits illegal activity on your rental property will help protect your rights and streamline the eviction process if a tenant engages in criminal activity.

Another way landlords can help protect themselves from liability is to stay current on local criminal activity. Scan public information for police reports that contain your rental property address. The sooner you become aware of activity that should not be happening on your property, the sooner you can make authorities aware of it by reporting it yourself.

If you are dealing with a tenant involved in drug activity, the Expedited Eviction of Drug Traffickers Act can help you to evict the tenant as quickly as legally possible.

Our experienced landlord tenant lawyers in Media, PA can help you navigate the complexities of being a landlord to protect your rights and take the stress out of managing your rental property. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.

Call our landlord tenant lawyers in Media, PA Today

Despite its complexities, being a landlord has many rewards. Ask our landlord tenant lawyers in Media, PA how they can help you minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of being a landlord. Call for your free legal consultation today.