This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Eviction in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Common Landlord-Tenant Myths (Video)
This video, Common Landlord-Tenant Myths, provides information on most of the problems arising during the tenancy, including written versus oral leases, eviction notices, illegal self-help evictions, security deposits, and warranty of habitability.
Eviction Process in Pennsylvania (Video)
Video from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services explaining the eviction process in Pennsylvania.
Illegal Lockouts (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association explains tenants' rights under the law in Pennsylvania that offer protection against self-help evictions when the landlord changes the locks or renders the property unusable without following the property eviction procedures. October 22, 2010.
What is Preliminary Injunctive Relief (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains what preliminary injunctive relief is and when you may be able to obtain a preliminary injunction when your landlord is trying to evict you. It contains specific instructions for the counties served by the former Laurel Legal Services, Inc., including Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland Counties. These counties are now served by Summit Legal Aid. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Filing an Appeal of an Eviction (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association outlines the steps that you need to take in order to file an appeal of an eviction decision from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. Specific instructions are given for cases in counties served by Neighborhood Legal Services Association. September 15, 2011
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to Prepare for Landlord-Tenant Court if You are Facing Eviction (Video)
Video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, providing a description of your rights when being evicted and about how the eviction process works. Specific information is included about the eviction process that is followed in Philadelphia, along with some resources for people facing eviction in Philadelphia.
The District Justice Hearing: North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial district Judge in a landlord-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.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Common Landlord-Tenant Myths (Video)
This video, Common Landlord-Tenant Myths, provides information on most of the problems arising during the tenancy, including written versus oral leases, eviction notices, illegal self-help evictions, security deposits, and warranty of habitability.
Filing an Appeal of an Eviction (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association outlines the steps that you need to take in order to file an appeal of an eviction decision from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. Specific instructions are given for cases in counties served by Neighborhood Legal Services Association. September 15, 2011
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to Prepare for Landlord-Tenant Court if You are Facing Eviction (Video)
Video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, providing a description of your rights when being evicted and about how the eviction process works. Specific information is included about the eviction process that is followed in Philadelphia, along with some resources for people facing eviction in Philadelphia.
Illegal Lockouts (Video)
This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association explains tenants' rights under the law in Pennsylvania that offer protection against self-help evictions when the landlord changes the locks or renders the property unusable without following the property eviction procedures. October 22, 2010.
The District Justice Hearing: North Penn Legal Services Landlord - Tenant Video Workshop
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services features a typical hearing before a magisterial district Judge in a landlord-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.
What is Preliminary Injunctive Relief (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains what preliminary injunctive relief is and when you may be able to obtain a preliminary injunction when your landlord is trying to evict you. It contains specific instructions for the counties served by the former Laurel Legal Services, Inc., including Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland Counties. These counties are now served by Summit Legal Aid. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Eviction Process in Pennsylvania (Video)
Video from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services explaining the eviction process in Pennsylvania.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.