Housing Issues
Legal Information
PAVictimsHelp.org
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Tenants! Being Evicted?
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the rights of tenants who are being evicted.
Eviction Process in Pennsylvania (Video)
Video from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services explaining the eviction process in Pennsylvania.
Eviction from Residential Property for Nonpayment of Rent
Informational chart from the Pennsylvania Bar Association outlining the steps in the eviction process in all Pennsylvania Counties except Philadelphia.
Landlord’s Interference With a Tenant’s Right to Utility Service
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on a Tenant's rights regarding utility service in a rented residence. [PDF] (June 2011)
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). Fair housing (housing discrimination) information is included throughout the entire handbook. There is a Lehigh Valley Edition and a Northeast PA Edition. NPLS revised the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in December 2019.
Responding to Illegal "Self-Help" Evictions
There are several types of Residential Property Crimes that take place in Philadelphia. In every case, vulnerable citizens are victimized. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine who the parties are and what is taking place. This video will go over how to identify and respond to an illegal “self-help” eviction.
Renting a LIHTC home: Everything you need to know
This is a comprehensive tenants’ guide to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rentals from Regional Housing Legal Services, explaining the ins and outs of this important but not well-understood program. The guide is written for tenants who are searching for an affordable place to live as well as for residents of LIHTC properties. It helps applicants and current tenants understand special rules, like how rent is calculated, chiefly that it is not based on the tenant’s income, as well as what “good cause” eviction means.
PAHousingSearch.com
This is a free resource from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and other Commonwealth partners to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget. Property providers can list available apartments or homes at any time, which means the listings are current. The web site lets you define what you want in your next living space, and then it does all the research – presenting you with the relevant housing vacancies that best fit your parameters in the community where you want to live.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from 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.
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.
Tenants! Being Evicted?
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the rights of tenants who are being evicted.
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.
Housing Code Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet from MidPenn Legal Services outlining various house code issues and tenants rights. (May 2010)
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from 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.
Know Your Rights: Domestic Violence and Assisted Housing
This brochure prepared by the National Housing Law Project and provided through MidPenn Legal Services offers information on the rights provided under the Violence Against Women Act to residents of public housing, Section 8 housing, or supportive housing for the elderly or disabled.
Landlord’s Interference With a Tenant’s Right to Utility Service
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on a Tenant's rights regarding utility service in a rented residence. [PDF] (June 2011)
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). Fair housing (housing discrimination) information is included throughout the entire handbook. There is a Lehigh Valley Edition and a Northeast PA Edition. NPLS revised the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in December 2019.
Legal Help for LGBTQ+ Individuals
Community Legal Services (CLS) provides free legal assistance in civil matters for low-income residents of Philadelphia. We are strong advocates for our clients, including LGBTQ+ individuals, when they face the threat of losing their homes, incomes, health care, and even their families. We work on many legal issues including eviction, mortgage foreclosure, criminal record expungements, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other public benefits, SSI, employment, utilities, and housing problems for people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.
Preparing for Your Landlord/Tenant Hearing Before a Magisterial District Judge
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on what to do to prepare for a hearing involving your landlord in Magisterial District Court. [PDF]
Public Housing Authority Appeal Procedures
Information on how appeals are handled by a Public Housing Authority in cases involving issues related to a house or apartment owned by the Public Housing Authority; involving a Housing Choice Voucher where you receive a rent subsidy that is administered by the PHA; or if you have applied to a PHA for admission into public or subsidized housing. [PDF] (June 2011)
Renting a LIHTC home: Everything you need to know
This is a comprehensive tenants’ guide to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rentals from Regional Housing Legal Services, explaining the ins and outs of this important but not well-understood program. The guide is written for tenants who are searching for an affordable place to live as well as for residents of LIHTC properties. It helps applicants and current tenants understand special rules, like how rent is calculated, chiefly that it is not based on the tenant’s income, as well as what “good cause” eviction means.
Responding to Illegal "Self-Help" Evictions
There are several types of Residential Property Crimes that take place in Philadelphia. In every case, vulnerable citizens are victimized. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine who the parties are and what is taking place. This video will go over how to identify and respond to an illegal “self-help” eviction.
VAWA Home: Rights for Survivors in LIHTC
Informational website from Regional Housing Legal Services and the National Alliance for Safe Housing (NASH) on housing protections offered under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking who are residing in, or seeking, housing in units financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
Young Adult Resource Guide - Youth Law Project
Guide to services available to Youth in Philadelphia including: Child Care & Early Learning • Domestic Violence • Drop-In Centers • Drug & Alcohol Treatment • Education/ Career • Family Planning/Reproductive Health • Food Resources • General Health Services • Housing/ Shelter • Legal Services • Mental Health Services • Parenting Education • Teen Parent Resources • Other Resources (January 2021)
Eviction from Residential Property for Nonpayment of Rent
Informational chart from the Pennsylvania Bar Association outlining the steps in the eviction process in all Pennsylvania Counties except Philadelphia.
Evicted? Doubled up? Your Child Has the Right to Stay in School!
This toolkit is about students’ rights under a federal law known as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Students have these rights whether they are homeless alone (in which case they are an unaccompanied youth) or with their families. (2019)
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment and Housing
This brochure prepared by the National Housing Law Project and provided through MidPenn Legal Services offers information on your right to be free from sexual harassment in rental housing.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 included funding for states to establish Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (ERAP). ERAP is now taking applications. ERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, past-due rent balances (also known as arrears), utility and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing.
Eviction Process in Pennsylvania (Video)
Video from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services explaining the eviction process in Pennsylvania.
Homeless Assistance Programs
Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' Homeless Assistance Programs and services available to homeless and near homeless individuals and families.
Housing Navigator Unit (Allegheny County)
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Housing Navigator Unit was established in 2018 to help homeless persons served by DHS find and maintain safe, affordable housing in the private market. The Housing Navigator Unit works toward this goal by recruiting and supporting landlords in the private market who rent to DHS tenants. The unit also works with the agencies charged with providing support services to the tenants. This public/private partnership aims to speed up access to private rental properties, improve communication and trust, resolve concerns and complaints, and increase accountability among all parties - the landlords, the service providers and the tenants.
PAHousingSearch.com
This is a free resource from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and other Commonwealth partners to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget. Property providers can list available apartments or homes at any time, which means the listings are current. The web site lets you define what you want in your next living space, and then it does all the research – presenting you with the relevant housing vacancies that best fit your parameters in the community where you want to live.
Deceptive Home Improvement Contractors Complaints
Information for home owners with HUD insured loans on avoiding deceptive home improvement contractors and how to file a complaint if you are a victim of fraud or abuse by a contractor.
Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act
Informational booklet on the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that creates safeguards for consumers who hire contractors for home remodeling projects. [PDF]
CFPB Releases Online Tool to Help Renters and Landlords Access Federal Assistance
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a new online tool to help renters and landlords impacted by the pandemic easily find and apply for payment assistance for rent, utilities and other expenses.
Housing Resources for Victims of Crime from PASafeLaw.org
Victims of crime often have a hard time finding or keeping housing. The following resources are intended to assist you in obtaining housing and avoiding an improper eviction.
Trans Youth Handbook
The Trans Youth Handbook serves as a comprehensive legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from 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.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from 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.