Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

I am 25 yrs old and rented an apt in Phila with my boyfriend for 3 years. We both contributed to the rent and household bills. My name is first on the lease. We both fell on hard times and lost our jobs. Collected unemployment but fell behind on our rent and bills. Found jobs again and got caught up. Once again lost our jobs and fell behind again. My boyfriend went out for cigarettes and didn't come back. I had to move home to my parents in Delaware. I am still unemployed, receiving unemployment but have no savings.My unemployment just barely lasts. My parents pay for my food. I was just served papers that my landlord is suing me (in Phila) for back rent and repairs totalling $6500.00. I cannot afford legal representation and neither can my parents help me here. I know where my ex is now working. I want to know how this will turn out. How will they collect from me when I have nothing and can they serve papers to my ex at work for half this amount? I would like to know what will happen before I satnd before the judge representing myself.


Asked on 8/05/10, 4:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

Check with your local Community Legal Services agency - it may be able to defend you.

With both names on the lease, and the order in which they appear does not matter, both and each of you are fully responsible for the rent and other requirements in the lease. The landlord should have also sued your boyfriend.

The landlord will seek a money judgment to pay off whatever is owed to the landlord. If you have nothing, they cannot collect from you at this time. But the landlord can enter a judgment against you, and would be able to try to collect from you in the future.

Don't delay in seeking the advice of your local Community Legal Services.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

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Answered on 8/10/10, 5:38 pm


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