Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Pennsylvania

I live in PA. My landlord requires new lease signed every year, stating that, because of this, I am obligated for 1 year and that, if I wish to move out sooner, I am still responsible for the remainder of the term. I swear that someone in the PA State offices in Harrisburg a few years back told me that if I maintain residency and pay rent for at least 12 consecutive months, the law says the landlord must grant 30 day month to month tenancy rights regardless of what the lease states. I hope I am saying that right. To rephrase, it doesn't matter what term the lease notes, or whether it is a new lease each year, or a renewal lease, once the initial 1 year term expires, the contract MUST include a 30 day month to month clause. Can you tell me if I am correct or was I dreaming this???


Asked on 7/24/14, 10:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Yes and no. If a lease expires and there is no new lease, the lease converts to month to month as a matter of law. However the landlord may require a new lease for a specific term.

If you leave before expiration of the lease, you are responsible for the rest of the term. However, the landlord has to try to rent to someone else--must advertise, show the property, etc to get a new tenant. Once landlord rents the property you are not responsible from that point forward for loss to landlord.

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Answered on 7/25/14, 3:45 am


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