Landlord Forum
Questions and answers from small landlords. Ask anything about running rentals, and share what has worked for you.
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0votesWhat do you do when rent doesn't come in and it's winter?
Following up on my eviction thread from last month. It's getting colder and another tenant is behind. Someone told me you can't evict in the winter in PA. Is that true?
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0votesShould I accept a co-signer for an applicant with thin credit?
I have an applicant who is 23, steady job for a year, good references, but almost no credit history. Her dad offered to co-sign. Rent is $1,150. Is a co-signer worth anything in practice or is it just a piece of paper?
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0votesTenant texts me about every little thing
Since I live in the same building, one of my tenants texts me about everything: a loose cabinet handle, a light bulb, a noise upstairs. It's constant. How do you handle maintenance requests without being on call all day?…
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0votesTenant's check bounced. Do I charge the bank fee plus a late fee?
My tenant paid October rent by check on the 1st and my bank just told me it bounced. They charged me $25 for it. My lease has a $50 late fee after the 5th. Can I charge both the bank fee and the late fee, or is that pili…
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0votesWhat fails a Section 8 inspection most often?
Following up on my voucher thread. I decided to try it. The inspection is in two weeks. What do units usually fail on?
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1votesHow much should a late fee be?
I'm writing my first lease. How much do people charge for late rent? I've seen everything from $25 to 10% of the rent.
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0votesTenant won't let me in to make repairs
I scheduled the smoke detector replacement from my other post. The tenant canceled twice. Now she says she doesn't want anyone in the unit. What do I do?
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0votesIs Pennsylvania a landlord-friendly state?
A friend in Ohio is thinking about buying rentals in PA. He asked me if PA is landlord friendly. I only know my own county. What would you tell him?
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1votesHow much should I keep in reserves for an older house?
My first rental was built in 1920. How much money should I keep set aside for repairs? I've heard everything from one month's rent to six months of expenses.
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0votesDo you do a move-in walk-through with the tenant?
I've always just handed over the keys. After reading the deposit threads here, I'm wondering if I should do a walk-through with new tenants.
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1votesCan I charge for cleaning and painting after a tenant moves out?
A tenant moved out after two years. The place is dirty (grease on the stove, the fridge wasn't cleaned out) and she painted one bedroom dark purple without asking. Can I charge her for cleaning and painting?
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0votesCan I charge the tenant for a clogged drain?
I had to call a plumber for a clogged kitchen drain. It cost $185. The plumber said it was grease. Can I charge the tenant?
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0votesDo I need a rental license from my township?
I close on my first rental soon. Someone mentioned I might need a rental license. Is that a state thing or a local thing?
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1votesUpstairs tenant flooded the unit below. Whose insurance pays?
My upstairs tenant left the bathtub running and water came through the ceiling of the unit below. The downstairs tenant's couch and rug are ruined, and the ceiling needs to be replaced. Who pays for what?
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1votesHow do you shorten the time a unit sits empty?
My last unit took 5 weeks from move-out to a signed lease. I do my own repairs, so I expected it to go faster. Part of the delay was finding a soft spot in the bathroom floor, which took a week to fix. How long does it u…
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0votesHow do I raise rent on a month-to-month tenant?
My tenant has been month-to-month since her lease ended last year. I'd like to raise the rent by $50. How much notice do I need to give?
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1votesWhere do you keep security deposits in PA?
I'm opening a separate account for tenant deposits. Does PA have rules about what kind of account it has to be?
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1votesTenant won't leave after the lease ended
My tenant's lease ended on September 30th. I told her back in July I wasn't renewing because I'm selling the farmhouse. She's still there and says she hasn't found a place yet. What are my options in PA?
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0votesDo I have to pay interest on a security deposit in PA?
One of my tenants has been with me almost two years. A friend told me I owe her interest on her deposit after two years. Is that true?
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0votesCan I keep the deposit if the tenant breaks the lease?
My tenant is moving out four months before her lease ends. She says I should give back her deposit since the unit is in good shape. Can I use the deposit to cover the rent she's leaving unpaid?
Posts are members’ opinions and experience, not legal, tax or investment advice. Laws change and local ordinances can override state law. Check your statute or talk to a local attorney before acting. Forum rules