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senpai · Feb 18, 2013, 12:46 PM

I live in PA and rent a room where I have been living for under a year. We only have had just a verbal agreement for what will be paid as far as utilities and rent amounts to be paid. With my only being able to work part time it has been near impossible to have everything ready on the 1st of the month when my rent and portion of utilities is more than than my 2 week paycheck. With the days that my pacy checks post it has sometimes been a few days after originally due and have been forced to split paying all monies owed between my 2 pay days each month. After feb 1st I again could not afford to pay 100% of rent and utilities on the first so a couple days later she sends me a text message saying that I am being asked to move with a written letter left on my door a few days after that. The question that I have is if there is any specific time frames that are supposed to be followed as far as notice to move out after rent is late being paid. I am just wondering as I am having extreme difficulty in finding a new place especially when my internet access has been shut off on me and can't search for a new place anymore.

AnswerMan5000 · Feb 18, 2013, 01:36 PM

Hi there.

To me it seems like you have a verbal agreement. You do not have any written agremeent.

On top of that your friend (refer to them as a friend because they are being nice to you) is letting you pay the rent when you have it - not when they need it. I myself am a landlord and I have some tenants who have written agreements as well as verbal agreements.

A verbal agreement does not really mean a lot; it would be better for you to sign a formal lease in the future which provisions how and when eviction happens.

Here is the main question... did you pay first and last.

If you paid first and last your last 30 days are paid for in the place, meaning that you should be able to stay for 30 days from the point your last balance runs out.

e.g.. If you paid rent in February, and you have paid first and last, then you can stay in March until the end of March because your last months payment covers this.

So - did you pay first and last?

Also - who shut off your Internet? Are you paying the bill? Whose name is the account in for the Internet?

If you've been paying for utilities and you just was not able to pay them this month, I don't think the landlord should have it shut off on you immediately. They are def throwing their weight around, you do have rights

senpai · Feb 18, 2013, 01:40 PM

I still have a little remaining for this months owed money but will have that paid in the next day or 2.

AnswerMan5000 · Feb 18, 2013, 01:40 PM

And again - "she" has your phone number and you two text each other - so its hard to refer to her as your landlord. Does she own the property?

OK that does not answer the question, did you pay first and last when you moved in?

If you have no deposit put down or any retainer, she is within her rights

senpai · Feb 18, 2013, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by AnswerMan5000

and again - "she" has your phone number and you two text each other - so its hard to refer to her as your landlord. does she own the property?

If I remember right I believe another family member owns it. And sorry first and last are not paid. I pay month to month.

AK lawyer · Feb 18, 2013, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by senpai

... The question that I have is if there is any specific time frames that are supposed to be followed as far as notice to move out after rent is late being payed....

Normally 30 days, written notice. Or if the rent hasn't been paid when due, it may be as little as 3 days "pay or quit".

LisaB4657 · Feb 18, 2013, 06:48 PM

If the landlord is giving you a notice to pay the rent or move, the time in PA is 10 days. If they are giving you a notice that your tenancy is terminated and you must move out then the time is 15 days.

If the reason is non-payment and you fail to pay in full within 10 days then the landlord has to file a lawsuit for eviction. If you pay in full by the court date then the matter is resolved.

If the reason is termination of your tenancy, and if you have not moved out within 15 days, then the landlord has to file a lawsuit for eviction. At the court hearing the landlord will receive a judgment for possession and can make arrangements to have the sheriff or constable perform the eviction. The time between filing the lawsuit and the actual eviction varies but can be as little as 2 weeks.