In 1979, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (Pugh v. Holmes) established that renting a property comes with a legal responsibility. That is, the rental must be safe, sanitary, and fit for someone to live in. That standard is what we now call the warranty of habitability in Pennsylvania. And it’s not something a lease can override. […]
07
May
May
If you’ve been looking into housing options with an emotional support animal (ESA), you’ve probably come across the term ESA letter. You will see it shows up in listings, lease conversations, and even online advice. So, what is an ESA letter? It is a document that connects your need for an emotional support animal to […]
06
May
May
If you’ve been apartment hunting, you’ve probably come across the term effective rent. This term appears mostly next to a price that looks lower than expected. So, what is effective rent? An effective rent is a number landlords use to show a lower average rent after factoring in special offers, like a free month. And […]
05
May
May
Moving out comes with many moving parts. That is packing, landlord inspections, looking for movers, and so on. And in most cases, cleaning the unit is rarely something that would cross your mind at that moment. So, when we come across the question, “Can landlords charge for cleaning?” it actually makes a lot of sense. […]
04
May
May
When you move into a new place, it’s natural to want it to feel like yours. And for many people, that starts with the walls. But can you paint a rental without permission from the landlord? In most cases, no—you’ll need your landlord’s approval first. Still, it’s not always black and white, as you will […]
01
May
May
It’s not uncommon for a tenant to leave without a forwarding address. And when that happens, they can put you in a difficult spot when there are loose ends, like the security deposit or final notices to handle. So, you’re still expected to follow the same legal steps as you would with any other move-out. […]
30
Apr
Apr
When someone asks, “Can landlords charge tenants for excessive trash?” they’re usually looking for a simple yes-or-no answer. However, the answer isn’t clear. This is because excessive trash payments depend on the situation, the lease, and how serious the issue is. And in most cases, it doesn’t start as a major problem. It’s a few […]
29
Apr
Apr
If managing a rental property was never part of your plan, then you may be an accidental landlord. And for most people, it doesn’t happen by choice. In most cases, it usually comes after a life change. Maybe you’re moving to a new place and can’t sell your property just yet. Or you’ve inherited a […]
28
Apr
Apr
Can you rent two apartments at the same time? Absolutely yes. If you have found yourself in two different places and can’t let go of either, you can rent both. However, there are a few things tied to that. From the landlord’s side to your finances, there are factors you need to think about. That […]
27
Apr
Apr
When a tenant asks us, “Can I cancel my renters insurance?”, what they usually mean is they’re thinking about ending their policy. That said, there’s often confusion around canceling it. But before getting there, let’s first understand what renters insurance actually is. Renters insurance is a type of policy that protects your personal belongings while […]