Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Pennsylvania

Alright, so in December 2015 me and my significant other at the time signed a one year lease on a new house that better suited what we wanted, at the time of us signing my ex did not have any money to put towards the security deposit or first months rent, so I covered it all 1100 for the rent and 1100 for the security deposit, fast forward to May 28th 2016, maybe half way through the lease, our relationship kind of fell apart and we seperated, but they felt they should stay in the house but I disagreed, due to them 1) having filed for bankruptcy, 2) they could not afford the following months rent without assistance, 3) I paid 900 of the 1100 for rent each month roughly 81% and with myself cover such a large portion and my ex not having enough to cover the next months rent was concerning because I don't want bad marks on me because my name was on the lease. I made valid points in my opinion my ex decided to contact the landlord, this is their words "the landlord never signed the lease so it's not legally binding" this the landlord and my ex destroyed/threw out the lease with my name on it giving me some form of right to be at the house and remade one without my knowing and without my name on the "new" lease. So I have no idea what happens to my security deposit and such also there is a lot of anxiety and stress caused from feeling secure in a year long lease just to be told you have no right to be here you need to find somewhere else to go especially on short notice. I feel as though this is illegal in some form and since the original lease was thrown out I can not even see if the landlord did sign it, so I don't know if I'm screwed or if I have a legitimate case against those two


Asked on 6/02/16, 2:40 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

You never quite say who they are. Is it the landlord? Your former significant other?

First whether the landlord signed the lease or not has nothing to do with anything, Since you lived there there was a valid lease. Further if you signed the lease it could be enforced against you whether the landlord signed it or not.

For some reason you thought not getting married was a good idea., Next you never thought to make for that deficiency by putting a contract in place spelling out who pays what and who is entitled to the security deposit.

Without doing either you have made your case much more expensive and difficult to win.

{John}

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Answered on 6/02/16, 6:31 am


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