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Security Deposits

Legal Information

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Security Deposit issues in Pennsylvania.

• Security Deposits

  Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on tenants' rights relating to security deposits. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

• How to Get Your Security Deposit Back from Your Landlord (Video)

  Video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, explaining your rights in regard to a security deposit you paid when renting an apartment or home, including the steps necessary to recover that deposit when leaving the residence. Read More

  By:

  Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Security Deposits (Video)

  This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association discussed the situation where tenants do not receive their security deposits back from the landlords when they move out of the property. Find out what type of notice you need to give your landlord and what to do if your landlord does not give your deposit back. Read More

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services Association

• Request for Return of Security Deposit

  This form prepares a letter for Pennsylvania tenants to send to your landlord to request the return of your security deposit. If appropriate, the letter will also notify your landlord that you wish to terminate your lease. 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. Read More

  By:

  North Penn Legal Services

• How to Protect Your Security Deposit

  This informational brochure from Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of what a security deposit is and why you should create a checklist upon moving into an apartment. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern Legal Services

• Security Deposits

  Information for tenants from Northwestern Legal Services on the amount of security deposits, how to obtain the return of your deposit, the landlord's obligations, and what to do if the landlord refuses to return the deposit. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern Legal Services

• Security Deposits

  Flyer on security deposits including the steps you should take to have your deposit returned to you. Content Detail

  By:

  Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

• Tips for Moving out and for Getting the Security Deposit Back

  Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on recovering your security deposit. Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services Association

• How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge

  Information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge. Read More

  By:

  MidPenn Legal Services

• Magisterial District Courts

  Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the operation of Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

• Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit

  This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern Legal Services

• Tenants' Rights - Going to Court

  Northwestern Legal Services provides general information for tenants regarding district justice court hearings. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern Legal Services

• 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. Read More

  By:

  North Penn Legal Services

• 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 this 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. Content Detail

  By:

  Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

• 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. Read More

  By:

  North Penn Legal Services