[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/a-guide-to-pennsylvania-landlord-tenant-law\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/a-guide-to-pennsylvania-landlord-tenant-law\/","headline":"Protecting Your Investment: A Guide to Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law","name":"Protecting Your Investment: A Guide to Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law","description":"As a real estate investor, protecting your property is essential, and the foundation of that protection begins […]","datePublished":"2025-03-04","dateModified":"2025-03-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/mhorvath\/#Person","name":"Michael S. Horvath II","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/mhorvath\/","identifier":60,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/michael-horvath-square-01682786x9F954-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/michael-horvath-square-01682786x9F954-150x150.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gross McGinley, LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Landlord-Tenant-MH-Mar2025-Blog-Post-Image.png","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Landlord-Tenant-MH-Mar2025-Blog-Post-Image.png","height":665,"width":665},"url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/a-guide-to-pennsylvania-landlord-tenant-law\/","about":["Blog"],"wordCount":362,"articleBody":"As a real estate investor, protecting your property is essential, and the foundation of that protection begins with a comprehensive lease agreement. Whether your property is residential or commercial, having an attorney draft your lease ensures it includes the proper clauses to safeguard your rights. For residential landlords, this means having legal provisions in place to address potential issues such as tenant defaults, evictions, or court proceedings.One of the most effective protections for landlords in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the ability to utilize Magistrate Court for landlord-tenant disputes. This court system is specifically designed for claims under $12,000 and offers a faster resolution process compared to the Court of Common Pleas, which can take months. If a tenant breaches their lease and you\u2019ve issued the required notice to quit, you can file a complaint in Magistrate Court. Within days, you\u2019ll have a hearing where the judge can rule on matters such as back rent, eviction, or recovery of your property.But what happens if you win a judgment, and the tenant still doesn\u2019t pay? In Pennsylvania, landlords can file a writ of attachment in the Court of Common Pleas. This legal tool allows landlords to recover unpaid rent or damages by attaching the tenant\u2019s wages, bank accounts, or other assets. While this process requires additional steps, it is an effective way to ensure landlords are compensated for any losses.Checklist for Pennsylvania Landlords:To maintain a strong landlord-tenant relationship and protect your investment, focus on these critical steps:\tDrafting a strong lease: Ensure your lease includes clauses that protect your rights and outline tenant obligations.\tUnderstanding notice-to-quit rules: Properly serve tenants with eviction notices that comply with Pennsylvania law.\tNavigating Magistrate Court: Take advantage of this expedited process for landlord-tenant disputes under $12,000.\tUtilizing writs of attachment: Recover unpaid rent or damages by filing claims against tenant assets when necessary.At Gross McGinley, our attorneys are well-versed in Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law and can guide you through every step of the process\u2014from drafting leases to handling evictions and recovering damages. If you have questions about protecting your investment, contact Michael S. Horvath or your Gross McGinley attorney today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Resources","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Protecting Your Investment: A Guide to Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/a-guide-to-pennsylvania-landlord-tenant-law\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]