OT:Landlords and Tenants

[robmpink]

I was wondering if this is legal. Landlord A owns the apartment we rent. We are in a lease paying x amount of $. Landlord A sells the property to a new guy, landlord B. Could landlord B raise the rent even though the cycle of the lease ends in April?


Also, in the prior lease there was a clause were if we give 60 days notice we could break the lease.

Landlord B is saying he could raise the rent and still hold us accountable for the 60 day notice. This doesn't seem right. I live in Pennsylvania in case state laws are considered here. Any help is appreciated.

[Justin7]

The new landlord can do whatever he wants. He can evict you or raise the rates.

If you are screwed by the new landlord, your remedy is to sue the old landlord (unless the new one entered a contract to honor the old lease).

[flyingillini]

I own a condo in Orange County and this exact same thing happened. When I bought it I raised the rent on the tenants because what they were paying was way below fair market... They complained and didn't like it one bit. They moved out and found something else I assume. New renters in and in the last 4 years I have raised the rent twice with no complaints. Not a lot of money just enough to pay my expenses from the company that takes care of everything for me.... they increase their fees so I raise the rent

[Sinister Cat]

In most states the landlord-tenant statutes state that the new owner has to honor a current lease. Unfortunately PA's statutes aren't on the state government's website. The best I could find was this: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploa...tenant_act.pdf

(P.S. is Pennsylvania Statutes, so it might be right, but who knows how old it is)

Anyway, it looks like the new owners would have to honor your lease:

Section 250.104. Rights of persons acquiring title by descent or purchase
Any person who acquires title to real property by descent or purchase shall be liable
to the same duties and shall have the same rights, powers and remedies in relation to the
property as the person from whom title was acquired.


I am not a lawyer and am otherwise unfamiliar with PA landlord-tenant law so take this for what it's worth. Ask a PA lawyer if they are still giving you a hard time. Note that it may be more trouble than its worth-- my cousin was in a similar situation where a new owner (illegally) tried to evict him and he refused to leave. They ended up threatening them and then slashing all 4 tires of each of he and his roommate's cars. They couldn't prove to the cops that the new landlord did it, and they definitely go the message that they should leave...

[purecarnagge]

and do you know what you do when they slash your tires...you **** up all the interior walls in any and all hallways and do extreme damage to the side of the building.

Or you go to another property of his and do damage there. Lifes a bitch and well karma is karma...

[robmpink]

In most states the landlord-tenant statutes state that the new owner has to honor a current lease. Unfortunately PA's statutes aren't on the state government's website. The best I could find was this: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploa...tenant_act.pdf

(P.S. is Pennsylvania Statutes, so it might be right, but who knows how old it is)

Anyway, it looks like the new owners would have to honor your lease:

Section 250.104. Rights of persons acquiring title by descent or purchase
Any person who acquires title to real property by descent or purchase shall be liable
to the same duties and shall have the same rights, powers and remedies in relation to the
property as the person from whom title was acquired.


I am not a lawyer and am otherwise unfamiliar with PA landlord-tenant law so take this for what it's worth. Ask a PA lawyer if they are still giving you a hard time. Note that it may be more trouble than its worth-- my cousin was in a similar situation where a new owner (illegally) tried to evict him and he refused to leave. They ended up threatening them and then slashing all 4 tires of each of he and his roommate's cars. They couldn't prove to the cops that the new landlord did it, and they definitely go the message that they should leave...

Geez, thanks for the info Sin! I will do more legwork on the issue. I'm not worried about getting tires slashed and really don't want to stay here. If we are entitled to stay until April when the lease ends we will do so. I'm meeting w/ him today since he said he consulted w/ some real estate people and they said he could raise the rent. We'll see what happens.

[purecarnagge]

I'd just tell him you'll sue him if he raises rent. Otherwise tell him you plan on leaving April when its up. It will be cheaper to let you leave, than to have you stay and fight him.