PALawHelp.org

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

• A Tenant's Guide to Renting

  This handbook from Neighborhood Legal Services Association 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. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services Association

• Handbook on Rules and Procedures for Landlord-Tenant Relations in the Fifth Judicial District - Allegehny County

  This handbook outlines what a tenant in Allegheny County should know if they have a dispute with their landlord. It details how a tenant can avoid court, instances when a tenant can bring their landlord to court and what to do if a tenant must go to court. Download PDF version. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Landlord Rights

  Information from the Erie County Bar Association on a landlord's rights regarding security deposits and eviction notices in a residential lease agreement. Content Detail

  By:

  Erie County Bar Association

• 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

• Notice of Appeal for Pennsylvania

  This packet from North Penn Legal Services will prepare a "Notice of Appeal" form (as well as a Civil Cover Sheet) for filing an appeal from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas. Instructions for filing and service will be included. Read More

  By:

  North Penn Legal Services

• Obtaining Your Security Deposit (Video)

  12/2010 - Presented by Attorney David Baxter of Northwestern Legal Services. Information for tenants in northwestern Pennsylvania on how to obtain and protect their security deposit. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern 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

• PhillyTenant.org

  Website providing information and resources on Tenants Rights in Philadelphia. PhillyTenant.org is the product of a collaboration of legal services and tenant advocacy organizations in Philadelphia. Site provides written resource materials, videos and information on Tenants Rights Workshops held in Philadelphia. Content Detail

  By:

  Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project

• Philly Tenant Resource Guide [PDF]

  Resource from the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project providing information for people facing eviction in Philadelphia. The guide also provides contact information for agencies and organizations that provide assistance to people facing eviction on a variety of legal and practical topics, including housing, utilities, food, health and work. Content Detail

  By:

  Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project