Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Pennsylvania

Hello,
I recently went over 3 days with no hot water and my landlord was not able to be contacted. She contacted me today and stated she had been out of town without her cell phone and had her husband fix the problem and got my hot water working again.
When I asked of the possibility of having money taken off of the next rent payment due to having to take cold showers for 3 days, she got very defensive and brought up times where I have paid rent a day or two late and said if I want to get technical she will take out $50 per time I was late out of my security deposit when I move out. I told her that I have always asked her in advance if it was okay that I waited a day or two so I did not have to take a special trip. She has never had a problem with it.
She stated that there were two times that I did not ask her in advance, and threatened to take $100 out of my security deposit. I told her I would fight that, as it does not seem logical that she could never mention a problem about it and then months later tell me I'm paying for it. Can she do this?

Asked on 6/06/11, 1:25 pm

John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

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No, a security deposit is not a piggy bank for the landlord. It's for damages not rent or late charges.

{John}

Answered on 6/07/11, 2:58 am

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