Hello,

I am renting a second floor apartment duplex in Philadelphia Pennsylvania with a month to month lease. I have known from the beginning that I am dealing with a very sneaky, only out for a buck and himself, slum lord. I was away form my apartment, for two months, off and on in July and August, to come home to find a for sale sign up and a lock box on the door, with no notification what so ever. I asked him about both things (the lock box and for sale sign) and what is to happen to me still renting the place from him. He simply stated that he has been telling my father for quite some time about wanting to selling the property (not me the tenant and the person who pay him rent each month on time) and that what will happen with my lease, is that he will make a new one stating that my rent will remain the same unless its 5 days after the first of the month, and then after the 5th, it will be a $25 late fee for that month. And that I will continue to still pay him the rent after the house is sold." The lease change is fine since I always pay on time, but he part about still paying him rent on a property he will no longer own, doesn't make since to me at all.

I asked for him to please keep in communication with me the status of the house closing. And if I could receive the new lease as close as possible to the time of the closing, and for it to be a year lease so that I can be locked in with my rent amount for a year, so that I can have time to save if the new owner decides he may not want me there. He said sure and that was close to 3 weeks ago and 4 phone calls and messages left and all unanswered nor responded to. So since this realization that my landlord has decided to sell the property and never informs me of anything, never fixes things in a timely matter, nor keeps scheduled appointment times to do things, and just does it when ever he pleases, whether I'm home or not without my permission or notification. I really need to know what I should and can do to cover my butt and not be thrown out on my behind within 30 days, and to know what is legal on his and my behalf:

I apologize for the rant, but I am so worried and very upset:confused :confused: :mad:

1) If he sells the property at anytime, is the buyer still obligated to honor my lease, granite that I receive the new year lease, (in other words can they throw me out if I was to get the new year lease beginning October.1 will I be locked into my rent amount until next October) Or will a new one be given by the new owner? And who will I really be paying after the property sells depending on the circumstances?

2) I haven't noticed that the property has been viewed, nor has the realtor or my landlord just come in to view the property or given notification to want to do such (not like my landlord would anyway) But I am worried about this since I am a single female living alone. And this this lock box just makes me very uncomfortable that people can come and go as they please. I mean I could be naked for heavens sake. So how much access to the property do I have to give the realtor and is there a PA state law for time notification to want to so such. And if none is given, What rights do I have?

3) I have to be realistic to the idea that my landlord may never give me this year lease. Since I am month to month leasing, and the property is up for sale, Is it fair to say that if the property does sale at anytime, that I only have 30 days to find a new place if the new owner doesn't want any tenants in the property? Or if he does decide to keep me, that I have to honor their new lease?


4) And was it legal for my landlord to just put the property up for sale without notifying me and to provide me with some form of written document of what the changes are going to be because of this?

Thank you for your help and any links or sites that can be referred to me so that I can have State law documentation would be so helpful.

Thanks again

1) Yes, if he sells your lease is an encumbrance on the property and has to be honored by the new owner. But if you are month to month. He can give one month notice for you to vacate.

2) Get a chain bolt for the front door. This will prevent anyone from walking in on your when you are home. There is little you can do about realtors coming in while you aren't home. You should keep an accurate inventory and not leave valuables (jewelry, cash) lying around.

3) see 1. If the new owner wants to offer you a new lease, then fine.

4) yes

At the top of this forum there is a 'sticky" with links to state laws.


Ssince you are a month to month, I would start looking for a new place.

Well, you asked a lot of different questions, but I'll try to answer most of them and give you some general info.

First, the landlord really has no obligation to inform you that he's putting the property up for sale. He does have an obligation to notify you prior to anyone entering your unit. Check your lease and/or your state's landlord/tenant laws (see first post in this forum) to see how much notice he must give. You have a right to insist upon this. I would recommend installing some type of chain or even a simple hook and eye latch to use when you're home so no one can just enter. As for when you're gone... it's probably illegal for you to changethe locks and not give him a key, so you'll just have to work something out about that part. I would recommend contacting the realtor and inform them that you are aware that the required amount of notice they must give before showings is 24 hours (or whatever it actually is) and that you fully expect this to be adhered to - no surprise showings.

Now, if and when the property actually sells... you seem to understand that whatever lease is in place at the time the property changes ownership must be upheld by the new owner. Is your rent especially low for your area and your size unit, etc? If it is and you want to stay I would pressure the landlord to give you a one year lease at your current rent. The part about still paying him the rent is really weird though - I wouldn't agree to that. If he won't do the year there's really nothing you can do other than being prepared to move or have your rent raised when the property sells. It may not happen - the new owner may just let you stay at your same rate. Heck, if the property isn't in good condition and the guy is asking too much it may not even sell. You can always give him 30 days notice in the hopes that it will get his attention. You could then tell him you want the year lease or you're giving your notice. Just be prepared for him to "call your bluff."

Hope that helped.
Karla in TX

Thanks so much for your responses. And I will look into investing a latch hook lock for my safety while at home. Unfortunately with entering situations in the pass, he said he don't have to notify me or give me specific times if things need to be done or fixed. He would always say he would do things at a specific date and time interval and never adhere to it. Causing him to come and go as he pleased to take care of what ever needs to be done. I'll have to double check my lease again on that, but I do know that its catered towards him.

Yes rockinmommy, my rent is pretty low and that is why I'm so stressed at him not returning my calls on issuing out this year lease. I have begun looking for other apartments and the only ones that are close to what I pay are in really rough neighborhoods high in crime and burglary or are $100+ what I pay now. To be honest Its really not worth trying to keep the apt if the rent will be raised because I pay close to $200 in the winter and summer months to cool and heat it because its very poorly insulated through the walls and the baseboards. Even with the new windows and carpet he installed. The house is just not well insulated.


And thanks ScootGem. I'll check out sticky with the state laws if I have to throw that at him.