All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Ruelens

Yep, I highly recommend either Brett Woodburn at Woodburn Law or Steve Williams of Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall and Furman PC. Both in Harrisburg.  

Where you are in Franklin County I am only aware that you are under the CDC eviction order which is now in effect through Jan 31, 2021.  In order to be protected from eviction for non payment, the tenant must qualify under the order, submit the declaration to you and adhere to it, including making timely partial rent payments.  I have successfully evicted several tenants since the end of August under this CDC order for non payment.  I have had some courts tell us to mail in the complaints and filing fees, but nobody has turned us away.  I am aware that Philadelphia is a whole other story and this wouldn't apply there.  If have seen this a million times, and you think you can avoid the expense of an attorney and eviction.  The only savings you can get at this point is to do it quickly.  Rip the bandage off, take your lumps and get a qualified tenant when you re-lease. My best advice is to get an attorney and evict asap.  

As long as your municipality doesn't have additional restrictions (e.g. Philadelphia) you should only be subject to the CDC Eviction Moratorium which only protects tenants from eviction action on the basis of unpaid rent.  It seems you have immaterial breaches (non related to payment) that you should be able to pursue eviction action for.  However, each District Magistrate is interpreting this a little differently.  I know in north central PA I am not having trouble getting evictions for any reason, but I only have one tenant (out of over 600) who presented the declaration and is keeping up with the payments.  So they are protected but we are getting partial payments.  

I recommend you get an attorney to assist, get you out of this with as little cost as possible.  This guy is going to keep making problems for you.  He has nothing to lose, you do. 

I have section 8 leases, and the voucher isn't standard across the board, the amount the tenant pays is specific to them and their financial situation.  They have to requalify all the time.  When it comes to raising rent you need to watch because the housing authority issuing the voucher (usually the county) will have market rents and they won't subsidize beyond that.  Otherwise, it is pretty easy, fill out a form at the beginning of the lease and at each renewal, comply with the inspection once a year and meet the habitability standards.  Nothing crazy.

Hi Martin, I would try Foundation First Property Group in Hanover, PA.  Very experienced, Jeff and Wendy, are investors themselves and very savvy on flipping. 

HI Philippe, I own One Focus Property Management based in Williamsport, PA.  In order to get started, get in with the facebook groups in our area, Central PA Landlords and PA Investment Property Owners, things like that.  I sometimes teach free or lower cost classes either at PCT or through my own venues.  Williamsport is an easy market to to know since it isn't all that large. If you work on it daily you can get a hold on the market activity and who is doing what.  

If you have documentation that the "lifetime lease" was terminated, you should be able to evict for holdover tenancy.  However was the termination acknowledged by both tenant and the seller? If so, post a 10 day notice to quit, and get ready to file the Landlord Tenant Complaint at your District Magistrate. 

Yes, most PMCs work like I described. The advice you are getting is right, you have to vet PMCs very thoroughly. They are your agent working as you in your investments. However, when you find the right one it is like magic how much easier and more profitable REI becomes. Kind of like dating, dating isn't that great, good relationships are amazing. Same with PMCs!

@Tracy Streich great recommendation!