Is anyone here familiar with moving someone out (not lawful eviction) because you plan to move into the rental yourself? I am curious about notice required (lease clearly states that it's month to month) and requires only 30 days but I am just wondering about the legality in PA.
@Matthew Koch, I think you are on track here. You want to non-renew their month to month rental agreement. The rental agreement says 30 days notice which conforms to PA laws.
So, you give them a notice and document that. That could be by having them sign saying they received it with a date, certified mail, posting a notice etc. You want to make sure they got the notice and document that along with the date.
If they do not leave, you then proceed to evict them as a holdover tenant. That means going to the magistrate who will give them a little more time to leave. If they still don't leave by the date the magistrate sets, then you hire a constable who will post a ~10 day notice with a specific day and time you will meet them there and the constable will forcibly evict them on the spot.
I don't believe the fact that you plan to move into the unit yourself impacts the situation in PA. In some other states especially tenant friendly states it might but PA is pretty neutral in my opinion and I don't think it really matters here.
@Matthew Koch, I think you are on track here. You want to non-renew their month to month rental agreement. The rental agreement says 30 days notice which conforms to PA laws.
So, you give them a notice and document that. That could be by having them sign saying they received it with a date, certified mail, posting a notice etc. You want to make sure they got the notice and document that along with the date.
If they do not leave, you then proceed to evict them as a holdover tenant. That means going to the magistrate who will give them a little more time to leave. If they still don't leave by the date the magistrate sets, then you hire a constable who will post a ~10 day notice with a specific day and time you will meet them there and the constable will forcibly evict them on the spot.
I don't believe the fact that you plan to move into the unit yourself impacts the situation in PA. In some other states especially tenant friendly states it might but PA is pretty neutral in my opinion and I don't think it really matters here.
In terms of presenting a notice of non-renewal, I've found it effective to initiate a friendly yet direct conversation before formally delivering the document. Providing a notice exceeding 30 days can also be beneficial, allowing tenants more time for financial preparations and securing a new residence. It's not necessary to disclose personal reasons for the property's future use; instead, you can explain that new plans require it to be vacant. However, as Kevin mentioned, it's important to be prepared if the tenant decides to holdover the tenancy beyond the specified period.
In terms of presenting a notice of non-renewal, I've found it effective to initiate a friendly yet direct conversation before formally delivering the document. Providing a notice exceeding 30 days can also be beneficial, allowing tenants more time for financial preparations and securing a new residence. It's not necessary to disclose personal reasons for the property's future use; instead, you can explain that new plans require it to be vacant. However, as Kevin mentioned, it's important to be prepared if the tenant decides to holdover the tenancy beyond the specified period.
I agree 100%! I always advocate for communication and cooperation between my tenants and myself and that goes both ways. So, yes I would also start with some honest communication about the subject but always follow that up with the required documentation.
I also agree with giving more than the minimum required notice is preferable especially if they are being cooperative.
One thing I also do is offer to do a walk-through together when tenants are moved out. We can look at any damages together and come to an agreement on the security deposit deductions. If we can come to an agreement, I will cut them a check on the spot. This gets the tenant their refund MUCH sooner which they often need as they are moving.