Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

landlord's remedies when tenant does not pay rent on time

The written lease usually spells out what remedies the Landlord has when the Tenant does not pay rent and other charges (and also violates other terms). Usually, there will be a late charge if rent is paid a certain number of days after it is due. Also, failure to pay rent on time can be a default (violation) of the lease. Landlord's remedies may include suing the tenant for rent for the rest of the lease term, and suing for possession of the property, so that it can be re-rented.

If you do not want to permit the tenant to renew the lease in July, carefully check the lease. It will probably say how many days notice you have to give the tenant BEFORE then end of the lease in order to not renew it or to change the terms. Be sure that you follow every detail in the lease about giving notices. It is advisable, even if the lease does not require it, to send notices via certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, as well as by ordinary mail, so that you will have evidence in the form of a signed receipt that the notice was received by your tenant.

When people do not abide by the agreements they have made, you can usually sue to collect what they owe you. Unfortunately, there is no way to actually force people to do the right thing.

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