What Can A Philadelphia Landlord Tenant Lawyer do to Resolve Conflicts?
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Conflicts between Landlords and Tenants are often complicated. Each side usually blames the other for the problem and feels victimized by the situation. The tenant naturally feels at a disadvantage, as they are often the less powerful party from a financial standpoint. But the landlord also feels disadvantaged, as the law is often pro-tenant in execution, and the tenant is using their property without adhering to contractual stipulations.
Neither party is equipped to manage this situation alone, which is why experienced landlord-tenant lawyers are crucial in resolving Landlord-Tenant conflicts. The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. are experienced in handling all facets of the landlord-tenant relationship and are happy to offer all prospective clients a free consultation to discuss their matters.
Renting Property in Philadelphia
The Landlord-Tenant Act of 1951 governs landlord and tenant disputes in the Commonwealth. However, disputes may become quite complicated, as cities and townships may have different laws concerning the landlord-tenant relationship within their borders. Therefore, it is best to seek the help of a local landlord-tenant lawyer to ensure that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities before entering, attempting to breach, or prematurely concluding a rental agreement.
If you have any questions or concerns about the terms of your lease, you need to be certain to assuage these before signing. If you have already agreed to a lease and have questions, you should still seek out counsel.
You must protect yourself by understanding your responsibilities and ensuring the legality of the rental agreement. Contact an attorney if you are having problems with the other party, the Landlord or the Tenant.
Neither party should try to take matters into their own hands. Landlords cannot engage in self-help by trying to evict the tenant themselves, and tenants cannot, in all but the most serious circumstances, relieve themselves from their responsibilities based on the action or inaction of the landlord or other factors. No matter the situation, it is most prudent to contact a rental lawyer for advice on how to deal with your Landlord-Tenant Problem.
Default by Either Party
Tenants can default in a number of ways, but as stipulated by the Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act of 1951, a landlord may only evict for these reasons:
- Non-payment of rent
- Holdover tenancy
- Serious breach of lease provision, and
- Tenant engaged in criminal drug-related activity on premises. Even then, as mentioned above, you cannot take your own actions. There is a process that must be adhered to
Landlords can also default by:
- Allowing the property to fall into a state of disrepair
- Failing to provide essentials such as water, heat or electricity, and
- Failing to fix a dangerous condition within the property. If you are a tenant and your landlord has defaulted on any of these grounds, contact a lawyer immediately to discuss your options.
Why Do I Need a Landlord Tenant Attorney?
Both parties must understand their responsibilities and rights within the rental agreement and legal process. Therefore, both require the counsel of an experienced attorney. Often, parties’ judgment is clouded by emotion. After all, when people’s homes, property, and money is at stake, things can become very personal.
In this case, it is best to let an attorney step in and represent your interests to make progress. Furthermore, it is quite likely that a reasonable settlement can be negotiated before going through the costly and time-consuming process of evicting a tenant or dissolving a rental agreement. Allowing attorneys to negotiate and compromise is often in the best interest of both parties.
Ultimately, though, some issues are unresolvable. In these instances, where the rental agreement cannot be saved, it remains essential that you secure counsel to represent your interests in court. The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. will work with you to secure the best possible outcome in your landlord-tenant dispute. Call today to Schedule A Free Consultation with a Landlord-Tenant Lawyer in Philadelphia.