Tenant's Reponsibilities
- Pay rent when due.
- Comply with all terms and conditions of the lease and/or the application for a lease.
- Comply with any rules and regulations included in the lease or a separately signed addendum.
- Comply with the requirements of Pennsylvania law, local ordinances, and housing codes.
- Refrain from disturbing the peaceful enjoyment of other tenants and neighbors.
- Refrain from damaging the premises.
- Notify the landlord of any serious defects in the premises which may cause the building to deteriorate.
- Repair any damages resulting from tenant’s actions or negligence (other than normal wear and tear).
- Keep the premises reasonably clean.
- Make minor repairs, unless provided otherwise.
- Allow the landlord or his representative or local government inspectors reasonable access for inspection and repairs.
Landlord's Duties
- Give tenant possession of the leased premises on the commencement date of the lease.
- Comply with the terms and conditions of the lease.
- Provide and maintain safe, sanitary, and habitable premises.
- Refrain from interfering with tenant’s exclusive and peaceful use of the premises.
- Refrain from any unfair or deceptive act or practice, which violates Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law.
- Refrain from acts of discrimination, which violates the Federal “Fair Housing Act” or Pennsylvania Law.
- Prohibited discrimination includes discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, handicap, disability, or use of a guide dog due to disability of the user.
- Comply with the Pennsylvania “Mobile Home Park Rights Act” in situations where the tenant owns a mobile home and leases space from the landlord.
- Comply will all requirements of the Pennsylvania “Landlord/Tenant Act”.
- Comply with the Pennsylvania “Utility Service Tenants Right Act” in situations where utility service is billed to the landlord, rather than the tenants.
- Comply with the Pennsylvania security deposit law, contained in the “Landlord/Tenant Act”.
- Comply with the Pennsylvania “Uniform Condominium Act” which contains protection for residential tenants in buildings being converted to condominiums.
- Comply with any standards set by federal housing regulations, local ordinances and property maintenance codes.
- Unless validity waived by the lease, to provide tenants with proper advance written notice of intent to evict for breach of lease or failure to pay rent.
- To refrain from lockouts, threats, or self-help eviction
- In complexes or houses with three or more separate apartments, to allow tenants to have guests for a reasonable time; to retain control of certain common areas and facilities; and to use reasonable care in providing for safety in the common areas and facilities.
Tenant's Remedies
- Sue for damages, resulting from landlord’s failure to give possession of premises on commencement date of lease.
- Terminate the lease upon a serious breach by landlord.
- Sue for damages upon landlord’s breach of the lease.
- Utilize the remedies provided by the implied warranty of habitability and the Pennsylvania “Rent Withholding Act” if landlord fails to provide or maintain liveable premesis.
- Defend against improper legal action initiated by landlord, and appeal any court decisions, even if lease waives these rights.
- Sue for injunction to stop self-help eviction or lockout by landlord. File complaints or take appropriate legal action for violation by landlord of any of the following:
- Pennsylvania “Landlord/Tenant Act.”
- Federal “Fair Housing Act.”
- Pennsylvania “Human Relations Act.”
- Pennsylvania “Consumer Protection Law.”
- Pennsylvania “Mobile Home Park Rights Act.”
- Pennsylvania “Condominium Conversion Act.”