What are the legal consequences of a tenant breaking a rental agreement?

If a tenant violates the terms of a rental agreement in Pennsylvania, the landlord may take appropriate legal steps to seek a remedy. Depending on the specifics of the violation, the landlord may be able to take the tenant to court and seek a court order to have the tenant pay damages covering the cost of the damages caused, the return of the security deposit, and possibly other court costs and attorney fees. The landlord may also be able to pursue an eviction action to remove the tenant from the premises and have the tenant pay for any back rent due. When this occurs, a landlord must follow procedural rules for evicting a tenant and file an appropriate legal case in court. If the tenant fails to appear in court, the process may result in the landlord receiving a default judgment. Finally, the landlord may also pursue an action for breach of contract by filing a lawsuit in court to have the tenant held liable for all damages sustained by the landlord. If the tenant loses the case, the court may order the tenant to pay damages to the landlord, including both the cost of any repair or replacement related to the violation, as well as a monetary amount awarded by the court for the breach. Since each situation is different, it is important for tenants to carefully read and understand their rental agreement before signing, and it is equally important for landlords to understand their rights and remedies under Pennsylvania landlord-tenant laws.

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What are the legal consequences of a tenant breaking a rental agreement?

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