This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Housing and Homeownership issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Consumer advisory: Take action when home insurance is cancelled or costs surge
A notice from your insurer dropping your home insurance policy or imposing a dramatic price increase can feel like your largest investment is at risk. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers advice on what to do when your insurers make unexpected changes to your insurance coverage. (Aug. 30, 2023)
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. This webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue explains who is eligible for the rebate program and how to apply.
Reverse Mortgages: Know Before You Owe (Video)
This video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides an overview of reverse mortgages for older consumers and their families. You’ll learn how reverse mortgages work and what issues you should consider before applying for one.
Tangled Title
A tangled title exists when the current occupant of the house is not on the deed, but believes themselves to be the owner. Learn about other indicators of a tangled title and why the title issue should be fixed.
The Dangers of Rent-to-Own Agreements (Video)
This video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia explains some potential problems that may present themselves in a Rent-to-Own arrangement to purchase a house, whereby you live in the house as a tenant, pay rent each month, and have the rent count toward the purchase of the property. (August 2016)
What You Should Know About Your House When You Enter a Nursing Home or Receive Care at Home
This brochure is for anyone who owns a home and may receive Medical Assistance to pay for their care in a nursing home or in the community.
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies
This is a listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for processing. The Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) was created by Act 91 of 1983, and was designed to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. HEMAP is a loan program to prevent foreclosure and funds loaned must be repaid. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe. [PDF]
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
Information on the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe.
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. This webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue explains who is eligible for the rebate program and how to apply.
Save Your Home Philly Hotline
For help with home mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles, or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and get a call back from a housing advocate. The Hotline provides advice, brief service, and connects thousands of callers to housing counselors each year. More information at the link.
Save Your Home Philly Hotline
For help with home mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles, or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and get a call back from a housing advocate. The Hotline provides advice, brief service, and connects thousands of callers to housing counselors each year. More information at the link.
How to Keep Someone off Your Property
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about keeping people off your property and the law relating to defiant trespass.
Save Your Home Philly Hotline
For help with home mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles, or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and get a call back from a housing advocate. The Hotline provides advice, brief service, and connects thousands of callers to housing counselors each year. More information at the link.
Tangled Title
A tangled title exists when the current occupant of the house is not on the deed, but believes themselves to be the owner. Learn about other indicators of a tangled title and why the title issue should be fixed.
The Dangers of Rent-to-Own Agreements (Video)
This video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia explains some potential problems that may present themselves in a Rent-to-Own arrangement to purchase a house, whereby you live in the house as a tenant, pay rent each month, and have the rent count toward the purchase of the property. (August 2016)
The Philadelphia Property Tax Handbook
This manual from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia is designed to guide Philadelphians, including taxpayers, tax professionals, and non-profit agencies, about the various tax relief programs that are available to help those who are struggling to pay their property taxes. It compiles the applications, instructions, and statutory provisions for each of these programs and provides a user-friendly summary of the most essential information. (2nd Edition - 2022)
What You Should Know About Your House When You Enter a Nursing Home or Receive Care at Home
This brochure is for anyone who owns a home and may receive Medical Assistance to pay for their care in a nursing home or in the community.
Buying a Home
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. This pamphlet offers general information about the basics of buying a home and will help you understand how a lawyer can help you with the legal issues involved in your transaction. (2020)
Buying a Home
Buying a home may well be the largest financial transaction in which you will be involved. It is wise to proceed with caution and be aware of the legal importance of the basic steps involved in buying a home. This information from Erie County Bar Association lists the basic steps involved in buying a home. (2018)
Land Contracts
A land contract is an installment sale agreement for the sale of real estate. Under a land contract, the purchase price for the real estate is paid over time. The buyer may or may not make a down payment, but will usually make monthly payments until the purchase price, plus the interest, are paid in full. The seller retains legal title to the real estate until the purchase price is paid in full. This provides more information from the Erie County Bar Association on land contracts - installment sale agreements for the sale of real estate. (2018)
Land Disputes with Neighbors
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on common land disputes between neighbors including party driveways shared by neighbors, and disputes over a house, garage, fence, etc., found to be located on the property of the next door neighbor. (2018)
Living Trusts
This publication from the Erie County Bar Association outlines what a living trust is, who needs one, advantages and disadvantages of having one, as well as myths and scams involving living trusts. (June 2023)
Selling a Home
Selling a home may well be the largest financial transaction in which you will be involved. It is wise to proceed with caution and be aware of the legal importance of the basic steps involved in selling a home. This information from the Erie County Bar Association outlines what you should know when planning to sell your home.(2018)
Shared Ownership of Land
Information on the shared ownership of land from the Erie County Bar Association. This includes information on the different forms of shared ownership and the legal rights of the parties involved in each different type of shared ownership. (2018)
Zoning
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on zoning laws that might affect your home or neighborhood. These zoning laws generally regulate how land can be used, and for what purpose.(2018)
A Reverse Mortgage Primer: Consumer Debt Advice from the National Consumer Law Center
This article focuses on reverse mortgages, including who should consider a reverse mortgage, how reverse mortgages work, the foreclosure risks, the impact on spouses, partners, and heirs, and whether taking out a reverse mortgage is a good idea. (May 2018)
Area Agencies on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the front door for aging services in your community. Your AAA is staffed with skilled workers who can provide information about services and also help in getting access to those services. Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging that cover all 67 counties.
Avoiding Foreclosure
Information from HUD on programs to assist homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure and otherwise struggling with their monthly mortgage payments. These programs can help property owners avoid losing their homes because of delinquent payments.
Consumer advisory: Take action when home insurance is cancelled or costs surge
A notice from your insurer dropping your home insurance policy or imposing a dramatic price increase can feel like your largest investment is at risk. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers advice on what to do when your insurers make unexpected changes to your insurance coverage. (Aug. 30, 2023)
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages ( Reverse Mortgages) for Seniors
Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity with seniors who have equity in their homes and want to remain in their homes or supplement their income. The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and is only available through a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-approved lender. This is information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HECM, FHA's reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home's equity.
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies
This is a listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for processing. The Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) was created by Act 91 of 1983, and was designed to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. HEMAP is a loan program to prevent foreclosure and funds loaned must be repaid. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe. [PDF]
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
Information on the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe.
Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP)
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides the Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP) that offers loans between $1,000 and $10,000 for specific energy efficiency repairs at a fixed-rate of one percent (1%) for ten years with no prepayment penalties.
Homeowners Insurance Guide
A guide created by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to help you understand homeowners insurance. The guide provides information about types of coverage available, some tips on how to shop, and what you should do if you need to make a claim. (April 2017)
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. A list of agencies in Pennsylvania is provided here.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. This webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue explains who is eligible for the rebate program and how to apply.
Reverse Mortgages
Information in a Q & A format from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency designed to help you better understand reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are complex loans and are secured by your home. It is important to understand the terms, risks, and costs before you sign a reverse mortgage contract. Make sure to consider alternatives to reverse mortgages.
Reverse Mortgages: Know Before You Owe (Video)
This video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides an overview of reverse mortgages for older consumers and their families. You’ll learn how reverse mortgages work and what issues you should consider before applying for one.
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
Tips from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how to avoid foreclosure of your home.
Figuring Out FEMA
“Figuring Out FEMA,” a pocket-sized visual resource for disaster survivors. The guide makes complex information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency accessible to people who need the assistance of the agency.
My Home: Your Step-by-Step to Buying and Financing a Home
Information from My Home by Freddie Mac for you to consider as you enter into the home buying process and enter into a mortgage.
Legal Assistance Program for Tenants and Homeowners in Pittsburgh
The Legal Assistance Program (LAP) of the Urban Development Program of Pittsburgh provides a variety of free housing legal services to eligible tenants and homeowners who live in the City of Pittsburgh. Income limits apply for services.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
The Philadelphia Property Tax Handbook
This manual from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia is designed to guide Philadelphians, including taxpayers, tax professionals, and non-profit agencies, about the various tax relief programs that are available to help those who are struggling to pay their property taxes. It compiles the applications, instructions, and statutory provisions for each of these programs and provides a user-friendly summary of the most essential information. (2nd Edition - 2022)