How can a landlord collect on unpaid rent?

In Pennsylvania, a landlord can take several steps to collect on unpaid rent. First, a landlord can send the tenant a written demand for payment. This should be sent by certified mail and clearly inform the tenant that they have a certain number of days to pay before the landlord takes legal action. If the tenant still refuses to pay, the landlord can file a complaint in the local county’s Conciliation Court. This can be done without needing the assistance of an attorney, but an attorney can certainly help with this process. The court will then issue a judgment and order the tenant to pay the amount owed. If the tenant refuses to pay after the court order, the landlord can take garnishment action to have money taken from the tenant’s wages or bank account. The landlord can also file for a Writ of Execution and/or a Writ of Possession in order to find and seize the tenant’s assets or property. Finally, the landlord can also place a lien on the tenant’s property, which would prevent them from selling the property until the rent is paid in full. This is not a common practice in Pennsylvania, but it is an option that is available to landlords. Overall, there are several ways that a landlord can pursue unpaid rent in Pennsylvania. Of course, it is always best practice to try and communicate and negotiate with the tenant first. If that fails, then taking legal action can help a landlord get the unpaid rent that is owed to them.

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How can a landlord collect on unpaid rent?

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