Hello everyone I need advice! I am about to move into an apartment and sign a month to month lease. I live in PA and I filled out an application about 3 weeks ago and the landlord and I have been in close contact for at least once a week. Well every time I talk to him he asks me for different things. For instance when I filled out the application he didn't ask me for a fee or anything. I am a single mother of 2 children and he asked me for my children's birth certificate and I thought that it was very weird of him to ask me for those things. Well I supplied those things and he also asked me to make up a paper and sign it so that he can check my background. My problem is that he didn't ask me for these things when I filled out the application. He just keeps on adding on different things every time I talk to him. To make a long story short I want to know what is the law of month to month leases in PA. Also am I liable to pay for a background check when he never asked me for any money when I signed the lease and he just added that at the end? Shouldn't he have asked me for everything in the beginning?

Thank you for your time!!

Hello davivi:

Sure! He should have asked for those things. But because he didn't, makes him a bad businessman, not a contract violator. I'm sure the application doesn't state that you're NOT going to be asked to pay. It probably doesn't say anything about that fee at all. Relax. What could it have been? $50?

You are on notice regarding his bad business tactics, however. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to you, when he's not Johnny on the spot after you call him about a problem, should you move in.

You may wish to shop elsewhere. If you haven't moved in, you can't be held to the lease. If you paid a deposit, you'll lose that.

excon

Thank you!! I have never rented an apartment before so I don't know what to expect. I love the place and it is in my price range. The fee isn't a problem I just don't like the fact that when I call him he keeps bringing up different things when he has my number!!