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Your Online Guide to Legal Information and Legal Services in Pennsylvania
    
 
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There are 30 resources  
Online Resources, Self Help Resources and Forms - (3)
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network - (21)
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations - (2)
Information from Government Agencies - (4)
  Online Resources, Self Help Resources and Forms
 
   Pennsylvania Affordable Apartment Locator (Separate Website)
The Apartment Locator was developed by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency as a tool to link consumers to affordable housing options throughout the Commonwealth. It is intended to be an aid for consumers who are searching for affordable apartments and for property managers and developers who wish to market their affordable vacant units.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
  
   
   Request to Landlord for Repairs
This form prepares a letter for Pennsylvania tenants to send to your landlord asking that repairs be done to your rental unit. This letter should be used as the initial request to your landlord.

IMPORTANT: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form. To use this form, you must have Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word installed on the computer you are using.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.

IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
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  Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
 
   Your Right as a Tenant to a Decent Home
Information on tenants' rights relating to housing
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Warranty of Habitability
Informational brochure on warranty of habitability and a landlord's responsibility to provide a safe home.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Landlord's Duty To Make Repairs (Separate Website)
Information on a landlord's duty to repair rental property
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
 
  
   
   Deduct & Repair - Tenant's Right to a Safe and Decent Home
Informational guide for tenant which explains their right to a safe and decent home
By: MidPenn Legal Services
 
  
   
   What Should I Do When I Need Repairs In My Apartment Or House? (Separate Website)
Options for tenants when their home needs repairs. Section of LandLord Tenant Handbook from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   Implied Warranty of Habitability (Separate Website)
Information on your right to a residence fit for human habitation.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
 
  
   
   Habitability Law in Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
Information on the implied warranty of habitability that is present in all Pennsylvania leases.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
 
  
   
   Self-help Handbook for Tenants
This handbook provides useful information about renting an apartment and some of the basics of landlord-tenant law. For those looking for rental housing, the handbook has practical suggestions about what to look for while inspecting the rental unit and what questions to ask the landlord. For those who are already renting, the handbook discusses common problems such as nonpayment of rent or complaints about repairs.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Housing Code Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet outlining various house code issues and tenants rights
By: MidPenn Legal Services
 
  
   
   The Right of Quiet Enjoyment (Separate Website)
Information on a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
 
  
   
   Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment
Information for tenants and your right to quiet enjoyment of your premises.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   How to Keep Someone off Your Property This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Information about kepping people off your property and the law relating to defiant trespass
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
  
   
   Dealing with situations while renting (Separate Website)
Information for tenants regarding situationa that occur while renting an apartment or house. Section of Landlord Tenant Handbook by North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   A Tenant's Guide to Renting This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
This handbook is designed to address some common problems that you may face as a tenant. It addresses a number issues including Searching for a rental unit; Reviewing and signing your lease; Moving into your new rental unit; Living in your rental unit and Moving out.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
 
  
   
   Tenants' Rights - Going to Court
This brochure provides general information for tenants regarding district justice court hearings.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
How to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
 
  
   
   North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop: The District Justice Hearing
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial distirct Judge in a landord - tenant case, followed by a panel discussion featuring several judges describing some best practices for you to use at your hearing, as well as some things to avoid. The process in the video is typical of any civil case brought before a magisterial district judge in Pennsylvania.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   Magisterial District Courts
Information about the procedures in Magisterial District Justice Court
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This informational packet provides information on how to file a lawsuit in Magiserial District Judge Court.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Landlord Tenant Handbook (Separate Website)
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services.
By: North Penn Legal Services
 
  
   
   Home Improvements
Informational brochure providing information when deciding whether to make home repairs.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
 
  
   
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  Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
 
   Residential Tenant Rights (Separate Website)
Information on rights of tenants from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
  
   
   Renting a Home This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
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  Information from Government Agencies
 
   Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (Separate Website)
Information on lead-based paint hazards.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Is Your Manufactured Home Up to Standards? (Separate Website)
Information for consumers and steps you can take if you are having problems with your manufactured home.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Report Bad Landlord in Federal Housing (Separate Website)
Information on how to report bad landlords with federal housing.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Deceptive Home Improvement Contractors Complaints (Separate Website)
Information for home owners with HUD insured loans on avoiding deceptive home improvement contractors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
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