Renting in this city can be a leap of faith that does not land. We have handled our share of landlord horror stories: oral leases pushed on tenants who did not know better, unfair tactics used to squeeze money out of honest people, and leasing companies that go quiet the moment something needs fixing. Our clients are working people who signed in good faith and found out later what they had actually agreed to.
Lead attorney on every case we take, backed by a dedicated legal team you work with directly.
Lease terms are largely defined by the law of the place the property sits, and a sound residential lease should be explicit about the essentials: the rent amount, when it is due and how it is paid, the landlord or leasing company's name, everyone living in the unit, the exact security deposit and when it is owed, the pet policy, who handles maintenance, repairs, and snow removal, when the landlord may enter, and any miscellaneous fees for lock changes, pets, or shared spaces. That list is not exhaustive. Ask before you sign, and do not sign anything you are not comfortable with.
Some warning signs should send you the other way: a landlord who insists on an oral lease, a sublet without the landlord's permission, rent noticeably above the local average, a lease missing key terms, or a landlord who will not discuss rent or their own responsibilities. Subletting deserves particular care, because a subtenant is not a party to the original lease and is not protected by its terms if something goes wrong, which is why consent from the landlord matters. If you are already in a fight over rent, repairs, a deposit, or any other landlord and tenant issue, contact our team for a free consultation.
Landlord Horror Stories
The city of Philadelphia is, unfortunately, home to a number of unscrupulous landlords and leasing companies. Either they attempt to swindle you with an oral lease or use unfair tactics to cheat money from you.
At Freundlich & Littman LLC, we have seen our fair share of landlord horror stories. Our clients are honest, hard-working people. Landlords cheated and lied to them about their residential lease. Renting in the city of Philadelphia can be a leap of faith that falls short. We are here to guide you through the process.
Important Terms
Terms of a residential lease are often defined by the law of the area in which the rental property sits. A residential lease should contain these key terms:
Rent. Never sign a contract where the owner plans to make up the rent for each month. The rent should be clear. It should also include when the rent is due and how to pay it.
Name of the landlord or leasing company.
Name(s) of the inhabitants of the rental property.
Amount of deposit. The landlord should detail the exact dollar amount of the security deposit. Likewise, the lease should detail when the amount is due.
Pet Policy.
Who is responsible for maintenance, repairs, snow removal, etc. As a renter in Philadelphia, it is important to know what your landlord is responsible for doing.
When a landlord can enter a property/renters privacy.
Miscellaneous fees and terms. This could include pet fees, fees for changing the lock, and fees for using the pool or shared recreational spaces.
This list is not exhaustive. It is important to speak with your landlord or leasing company prior to signing anything. Do not sign a lease unless you are comfortable with the terms.
Warning Signs
There are several warning signs in a lease or a landlord’s actions. If you find these, you should run the other way. Again, this list is not exhaustive. Contact legal representation if you encounter a potentially sketchy lease or landlord/ leasing company.
Some key signs of a bad residential lease are as follows:
Insistence on an oral lease.
A sublet lease where the landlord’s permission is not given.
Rent that is higher than the local average.
Lease that does not contain key terms.
Landlord refusing to discuss key terms such as rent or landlord’s responsibilities.
A sublet can either be legal or illegal. Many leases will strictly forbid subletting situations. A sub-lease is where a renter lets the rental property to a third party. This can be dangerous for a third party. A third party is not a party to the leasing agreement. If anything should happen, you are not protected by the terms of the lease. This is why it is important to legally sublease a rental property where the landlord gives consent.
Lease Attorneys
Landlords and tenants have an important yet strenuous relationship. You do not have to fight the legal battle against your landlord or leasing company on your own.
We routinely handle tenant matters revolving around a residential lease. If you are in a battle over your rent, the responsibilities of your landlord, or any other landlord/tenant issue, we can fight for you. Please contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.
