Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

tenant in building purchased will not sign lease with us

My husband and I purchased a 4 unit income property. At the closing the seller told us out of the 4 units, only 2 were occupied. One tenant had no lease, and the other one had the original copy, but the seller said he lost his copy. The one tenant without the lease signed one of our leases with us, no problems. However, the other tenant would not give us her lease so we could make a copy of it for out files. She also refuses to sign a new lease with us. I really don't want this woman as a tenant, she seems like a trouble maker. What are our legal rights? Can we give her a 30 day notice to move out? What if she doesn't pay October's rent, can we evict her without a lease? PLEASE HELP...we are new at this landlord thing! Thank You, Debbie


Asked on 9/16/02, 7:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gerald Hershenson Law Office of Gerald M. Hershenson

Re: tenant in building purchased will not sign lease with us

It is difficult to answer your question because you are really entitled to a copy of the lease. I suggest you retain legal counsel. However, if the tenant defaults in payment of the monthly rent, of course you can terminate. If the rent is paid, I would give her thirty days notice to terminate unless she can substantiate that she has a lease. This should have been addressed before the purchase with the old owner. You may force her to give you a copy of the lease. If I can be of any assistance let me know. Gerald Hershenson 215-579-9390

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Answered on 9/17/02, 8:34 am


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