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  4. Off-campus Living

Rights and Responsibilities of Tenants and Landlords

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.”

Off-campus Living

  • Housing Listings
  • Helpful Lease Terms
  • Sample Lease or Rental Agreement
  • Housing Condition Checklist
  • Questions to Ask the Landlord
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Tenants and Landlords
  • Roommates
  • Apartment Leases and Security Desposits
  • Pennsylvania Rent Withholding Act

See Also

  • Off-Campus Living Sample Lease (Adobe PDF)

Penn State Altoona

3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5000
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A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 23 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275+ Penn State majors.
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