PALawHelp.org (Eviction & Legal Help)
Last updated August 2026
A Pennsylvania eviction has more steps, and more exits, than most tenants realize. For unpaid rent, the landlord must give a written notice at least 10 days before filing. Breaking the lease or end of term takes 15 days' notice on a lease of a year or less, 30 days on longer. Then comes a real hearing in magisterial district court. PALawHelp.org walks through all of it free.
Here is Pennsylvania's biggest tenant right: pay and stay. In a nonpayment-only case, you can stop the eviction at ANY point before removal by paying the judgment plus court costs in full. If the money can be found anywhere, the door stays open right up to removal.
Lose at the hearing? You have 10 days to appeal. And after any eviction, you get 10 days to contact the landlord about your belongings, which then must be stored at least 30 days.
PALawHelp.org is a project of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network with the Legal Services Corporation. Its eviction section has 8 videos, court forms by county, and Philadelphia's Tenant Landlord Digital Assistant for Municipal Court cases. Content runs in more than 20 languages.
Free lawyers route through one door: a single statewide application at palegalaid.net sends your case to the program covering your county; PLAN's 8 regional and 6 specialized programs reach every county. If unpaid rent drove the case, dial 2-1-1 about rent funds in parallel; the money and the courtroom run on separate clocks.
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- The legal information and self-help tools are free for everyone
- Legal aid representation is generally income-based; each Legal Aid Network program screens you
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Read the notice and check its type: 10 days for nonpayment, 15 or 30 for lease breach or end of term, by lease length.
- 2
Read the eviction guides at palawhelp.org, and watch its 8 short videos for your situation.
- 3
Behind on rent only? Remember pay and stay: paying the judgment plus court costs in full stops the eviction any time before removal.
- 4
Apply for a free lawyer through the one statewide application at palegalaid.net; it routes to your county's program.
- 5
Show up to the magisterial district court hearing with your lease, receipts, and photos.
- 6
If you lose, count 10 days to appeal, and dial 2-1-1 about rent funds meanwhile.
- 7
After any eviction, contact the landlord about belongings within 10 days; they must store claimed items at least 30 days.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much notice does a PA eviction take?
At least 10 days' written notice for nonpayment, 15 days for lease breach or end of term on leases of a year or less, 30 days on longer leases. Then the landlord must win in magisterial district court.
Can paying the rent stop my eviction?
In a nonpayment-only case, yes, at any time before actual removal: pay the full judgment plus court costs and the eviction stops.
How long do I have to appeal?
10 days from losing at the magisterial district court hearing.
How do I get a free lawyer in PA?
One statewide online application at palegalaid.net routes your case to the legal aid program serving your county. PLAN's network covers every Pennsylvania county.
What happens to my belongings after an eviction?
You get 10 days to contact the landlord about them, and anything you claim in that window must be stored at least 30 days.
Is PALawHelp free?
Yes, everything: guides, videos, court forms, and the Philadelphia Tenant Landlord Digital Assistant, in more than 20 languages. It is run by the PA Legal Aid Network with the Legal Services Corporation.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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