Full question:
I currently reside in Berks County Pa. I rent the larger portion of a 2 unit apartment building that is being sold. I had a one year lease that expired in Feb 05. Since that time we have had an ongoing oral month to month lease. Our landlord had told us that he was putting the house up for sale but would make sure that any buyer would be willing to honor our lease. Recently we have been emailed stating that he has signed a purchase agreement for the house and that the new owner wants to occupy the unit that we are currently renting. My question is what type of notice do we have to be given can it be by email or is he required to send a registered letter? Also how much notice does he have to give us if we are on a month to month lease and being asked to leave due to the sale of the home? Does the notice have to be given on the 1st of the month to move by the following month etc? Also what happens to my security deposit, if the sale goes through before he refunds it? There is nothing in my lease to answer these questions I have read it several times. We have put up with having a lock box put on our front door without our permission and agents entering without calling in advance and when we have been given notice its usually only 4-6 hrs. We normally would not have a problem with this but we have 3 young children 2 of which are currently enrolled in school and can not find another home in the area, even if its above our price range.
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Lease Termination
- Date:
- State: Pennsylvania
Answer:
Laws vary by local area. In Pennsylvania, a landlord must provide written notice to terminate a month-to-month lease. This notice can be delivered via email or regular mail, but it is often recommended to use a method that provides proof of delivery, like certified mail. Generally, the notice period is thirty days, but it may vary based on specific lease agreements or local laws. The notice does not have to be given on the first of the month; it just must meet the thirty-day requirement. Regarding your security deposit, it should be returned to you after the sale, assuming no damages or outstanding rent. If the sale occurs before you receive your deposit, the new owner typically inherits the responsibility for returning it. For further assistance, consider contacting your local tenant's association or housing department.This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.