Hi,
I'm in desperate need of advice with my current rental position. The case concerns a house in the state of Pennsylvania (PA).
I live in a house with three (3) other tenants. There is one lease for the whole house, of which we all signed. Actually, at this point I should specify that someone else signed my name for me on the lease...which leaves me to wonder if the lease is valid at all.
Since I have occupied the house, I have paid my share of the rent, on time. Our landlord sends us Excel worksheets time to time which show that I have indeed paid my rent. The sheet lists the four tenants by name and then shows the amount they have paid for each month. (I have saved these documents)
I am worried because two of the other tenants have not paid their rent on time, and I am afraid the Landlord will sue me to recover these costs.
The lease makes no mention of liability if one does not pay rent.
In reference to non payment of rent, the lease states:
"Violation of any part of this Agreement or nonpayment of rent when due shall be cause for eviction under applicable code sections. The prevailing party (shall) recover reasonable legal service fees involved."
Does this mean that the Landlord can evict all of us or the two nonpaying tenants?
He has made no mention of eviction.
He has orally told me on the phone that I am responsible for my share (1/4th) of the rent and then also orally told me that if one tenant does not pay, everyone else is responsible.
It is not clear to me what my liability in this case is.
Is the lease considered invalid because someone else signed my name?
Can I be sued for the two tenants' nonpayment?
Would I be sued ALONE or would all the signers of the lease be sued? (Or possibly me and the other tenant that has paid rent)
If I am sued, does the landlord have any case against me?
I would appreciate any legal advice.
I'm in desperate need of advice with my current rental position. The case concerns a house in the state of Pennsylvania (PA).
I live in a house with three (3) other tenants. There is one lease for the whole house, of which we all signed. Actually, at this point I should specify that someone else signed my name for me on the lease...which leaves me to wonder if the lease is valid at all.
Since I have occupied the house, I have paid my share of the rent, on time. Our landlord sends us Excel worksheets time to time which show that I have indeed paid my rent. The sheet lists the four tenants by name and then shows the amount they have paid for each month. (I have saved these documents)
I am worried because two of the other tenants have not paid their rent on time, and I am afraid the Landlord will sue me to recover these costs.
The lease makes no mention of liability if one does not pay rent.
In reference to non payment of rent, the lease states:
"Violation of any part of this Agreement or nonpayment of rent when due shall be cause for eviction under applicable code sections. The prevailing party (shall) recover reasonable legal service fees involved."
Does this mean that the Landlord can evict all of us or the two nonpaying tenants?
He has made no mention of eviction.
He has orally told me on the phone that I am responsible for my share (1/4th) of the rent and then also orally told me that if one tenant does not pay, everyone else is responsible.
It is not clear to me what my liability in this case is.
Is the lease considered invalid because someone else signed my name?
Can I be sued for the two tenants' nonpayment?
Would I be sued ALONE or would all the signers of the lease be sued? (Or possibly me and the other tenant that has paid rent)
If I am sued, does the landlord have any case against me?
I would appreciate any legal advice.
