Can our landlord have the police do this? Landlord/tenent laws in PA?

Question

My wife and I are having a problem with our landlords and next door neighbor who is supposedily buying the property within two and half weeks. I am fighting a workers comp case in which i have a main hearing on Sept. 5th. Yes we are behind in rent now for 4 months. My wife had to take a leave from her job to take care of me because my condition is grwooing worse very rapidly. Both our landland and the neighbor has both made statements to both my wife and I that If we are not out of the property they are going to have both local police and Pa State police change the locks and padlock the doors. The landlords never took us to anykind of eviction hearing thru a magistrate of regular judicial court. My question is, Can they have the police do this? As far as I knew, I thought that was called "unlawful evicted lockout." Please I need your help. What should we do?

Answer 1

Why would it be unlawful? I don't think any landlord has to carry you for more than 90 days, and in many places, it's 60.

Answer 2

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that you are going though a worker's comp suit. There are some PA state assistance programs they may be able to help you with your finances. If your condition has become as bad as you have stated, you may also qualify for disability, which could also assist in your finances. As for the neighbor, they have no say in your eviction what so ever. If you can pay the back rent and your lease is not up, then your landlord can do nothing either. If your neighbor is buying the property, then they are purchasing it as a rental property. They cannot evict you from the property once transfer of ownership occurs. I would recommend searching PA Landlord laws and regulations, as if you were going to start managing properties. There are a ton of free sites that explain what you can and cannot do. I was going to start managing properties last year in PA, and can tell you that there are a lot of rights given to tenants. I wish you the best of luck with everything.

Answer 3

Look you owe these people the rent. i feel bad you are sick, however this does not change your obligations to pay rent. just because you are sick does not mean anything to the bills the landlord has. it sounds to me like you are a looking for a free ride, , i know it was your employers fault. (workers comp) but if they gave you a written eviction notice than they can have the county sheriff change the locks after 15 days, i suggest you move or be out on the street. i rely don't have allot of pity for you. i have several rentals. 33 in fact i never deal with the law, we just get a few guys together move the stuff out on the lawn and remove the trash living there. i know you would be gone already if you live in my place. go move in with relatives, or friends, the landlord is not responsible for keeping a roof over your head at his expense. i know its all about you but do u consider he has payments/taxes and is responsible for utility bills you most likley are not paying either, It pisses me off that you think he should pay for you. besides, seems you have enough money for an internet conection/ and a computer, but not enough for the landlord. proof of your heart in this matter, something for nothing.

Answer 4

Technically they do not have to go through a magistrate. The have to give you an eviction notice that is either hand delievered or posted to your door. Here is a link

http://rhol.org/csu/evictions/PA/PennsylvaniaSteps.htm

Technically since your landlord orally told you guys you had to vacate he has no legal leg to stand on. He must inform you in writting.

I would contact your local fair housing department. Here is a link
http://www.fairhousinglaw.org/fair_housing_laws/laws_search.cfm?region_id=39

They will be able to help you through your legal options at this point

Answer 5

In Massachusetts, you can evict a tentant as a result of a sale without going to court. They did it to the tenant when I bought my house.