What are the laws regarding locking tenants out of their rental properties?
The laws in Pennsylvania regarding locking tenants out of their rental properties are outlined in the Landlord and Tenant Law of the Commonwealth. Under this law, it is illegal for a landlord to lock a tenant out of their rental property without a lawful cause or order from a court of law. A landlord may only lock a tenant out of the property if they are violating the lease agreement, which may include failing to pay the rent, damaging the property, or violating a rule specified in the lease. If the landlord does lock a tenant out, they must provide a written notice of their intent to the tenant before doing so. The lock-out must also be conducted in a reasonable manner—in other words, the landlord cannot use violence or threats of violence in the process. Additionally, the landlord cannot remove a tenant’s possessions, change the locks, or turn off services such as water, gas, or electricity. In addition, the Landlord and Tenant Law states that landlords must provide reasonable access for tenants to their belongings and must return any property left behind after the tenant has moved out. If a landlord violates this law and locks a tenant out of their rental property without lawful cause, the tenant may file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State or take the landlord to court.
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