Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Pennsylvania

residential tenant fasely claims verbal promise of commercial space

Residential tenants are claiming to have a verbal agreement with owners of a combined-use property to someday rent one of the commercial buildings on the property. This claim is untrue. The couple has been visited by the police on several occasions for disruptive behavior and have spent time in jail and rehab for drug related offenses. They currently occupy a small apt to the home of the owners.

Recently, the owners recieved an offer from a prospective tenant for one of the commercial buildings on the property for dog grooming (over 1000 clients). The comm. tenant approached the couple for employment opp and/or colaboration(still in planning stages). According to the res. tenants, the business crosses over into their interest (dog sitting).

The couple immediately began threats, slander, and harrassment of the owners which ended in treats to burn down their home. They are 78 and 75 years old and now afraid to stay at home are living with their daughter. A landlord/tenant suit has been filed by owners and registered letter sent to couple to leave property within 15 days. They aren't moving and have countered.

What is your advise with this couple? Are we missing something?


Asked on 8/05/05, 9:52 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: residential tenant fasely claims verbal promise of commercial space

If the owners do not have an attorney I highly recommend they retain one for the hearing especially with the counter claim filed against them. If there is no written lease then the owners should be able to evict the tennants. If there is a written lease the success of the eviction would depend on the terms of the lease. As to the commercial portion of the property courts do not like and will rarely enforce oral agreements. I offer free consultations.

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Answered on 8/05/05, 10:18 am


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