What are the laws regarding eviction due to being behind on rent in

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3rd-party leased student housing? It is 2008-12-29.

I live in a building marketed as third-party student housing and am behind on my rent by several months. This is not a month-to-month lease; the current term I am in runs for nine months (1 September 2008 to 31 May 2009 inclusive).

At the time I signed & renewed the lease, I was able to pay the rent at the place, however seven months later, when the start of the new term actually came around, my financial situation has changed and I have fallen behind by what currently amounts to five months (I owe some summer rent as well) inclusive of December 2008.

I was given two letters that mentioned to vacate the premises: one on 11 December 2008 that said to vacate by 15 January 2009 & the other on 26 December 2008 that said to vacate by 5 January 2009. Which of these is valid: either? Both? I have not gotten any court documentation yet. Will I even have 'my day in court' and will it make sense going when I get the summons/documentation at this point?

What I would like to know is when do I absolutely must be out of here? Is there any way for me to 'buy time'? I have a place to go to but it is not quite ready just yet.

If the following means much, since the time I signed & renewed the original lease, the building switched property management companies twice (March & November 2008).

This is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Is the law here different for buildings that are essentially dorms compared to standard flats/apartments?

Thanks very much...

 

[Expert Realtor]

I cannot believe that you are even questioning the dates.

Here is deal:

If the landlord has to go to court to force an eviction, you will not only be forced to pay the 5 months in back rent, plus a late fee for EACH month, NOW you'll also have to pay court costs, attorney fees, etc.

If you are smart, which it does not appear that you are, you'll find another place to live before you get a court date and save the landlord the trouble from charging you the expense....b/c you will have to pay it.

You aren't going to have a defense if you go to court.

As a former underwriter, I can tell you now that you are too young to have your credit screwed up this bad. This can have a major impact on your ability to get future student loans, can affect your employment, your car insurance rates (most auto-insurance companies also grade based on your credit) and the ability to get a professional license.

Most employers pull credit now as a condition of employment and you CAN be denied employment due to a poor credit rating, especially judgments and collections.

You can NEVER buy a house or rent another apartment with a housing collection/judgment obligation on your credit report....period.

You need to vacate asap.