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thescotts
03-04-2006, 08:16 AM
Pennsylvania.


We recently moved from our apartment. We had a 12 month lease with a month to month after that. When we left we realized that our copy of the lease was photocopied wrong and was missing pages. We contacted our landlord and she refused to provide us with another copy. On top of that, she says that our damages to the apartment exceed our security deposit, and therefore we owe her additional money. We then requested a copy of said damages. All of this occured on March 1, 2006. An agreement was made that she would deliver both documents (the lease and the list of damages) to us. She later called and said she couldn't make it. 2 days went by and she never contacted us.

We just received a call from her now, March 4. She is saying now that we must pay March's rent but denies us entry into the apartment. And that we must have a professional cleaning company come in and scrub the place. Even after that, she believes that they will have to replace the carpet and possibly the stove. She will send us a bill for this. We refuse to pay rent for an apartment in which we cannot enter. This puts it at a standstill. Keep in mind, she still has our deposit and we are not asking for it back.

When asking about the lease and list of damages, she refuses to provide us with either until we pay her the rent for March. When we refuse, she says she will see us in court. Is there anything we can do?

love it hate it
03-05-2006, 07:00 PM
Pennsylvania.


We recently moved from our apartment. We had a 12 month lease with a month to month after that. When we left we realized that our copy of the lease was photocopied wrong and was missing pages. We contacted our landlord and she refused to provide us with another copy. On top of that, she says that our damages to the apartment exceed our security deposit, and therefore we owe her additional money. We then requested a copy of said damages. All of this occured on March 1, 2006. An agreement was made that she would deliver both documents (the lease and the list of damages) to us. She later called and said she couldn't make it. 2 days went by and she never contacted us.

We just received a call from her now, March 4. She is saying now that we must pay March's rent but denies us entry into the apartment. And that we must have a professional cleaning company come in and scrub the place. Even after that, she believes that they will have to replace the carpet and possibly the stove. She will send us a bill for this. We refuse to pay rent for an apartment in which we cannot enter. This puts it at a standstill. Keep in mind, she still has our deposit and we are not asking for it back.

When asking about the lease and list of damages, she refuses to provide us with either until we pay her the rent for March. When we refuse, she says she will see us in court. Is there anything we can do?

check this website:
http://www.uslandlord.com/laws/pa.html

elklaw
04-06-2006, 07:43 AM
Most states do not allow self help remedies to landlords in situations like this. It sounds like you need to pursue emergency action against the landlord to re-enter the premises and seek damages for this inconvenience that could amount to you owing no rent. I suggest at least consulting an attorney but you could probably file this yourself because lease or no lease, there is enough here to paint a picture of landlord lockout that is not court authorized self help.

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