Bay Property Management Group

It usually doesn’t start with collections. It starts with something small that slowly builds up, like missed payments, frustration with a landlord, or a situation that feels unfair. Then one day, you get a notice, and suddenly, it’s no longer just between you and your landlord. So, what happens when unpaid rent goes to collections?

At that point, the situation shifts. ...

In 1979, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (Pugh v. Holmes) established that renting a property comes with a legal responsibility. That is, the rental must be safe, sanitary, and fit for someone to live in. That standard is what we now call the warranty of habitability in Pennsylvania.

And it’s not something a lease can override. Even if it’s not written down, the ...

If you’ve been looking into housing options with an emotional support animal (ESA), you’ve probably come across the term ESA letter. You will see it shows up in listings, lease conversations, and even online advice. So, what is an ESA letter?

It is a document that connects your need for an emotional support animal to your housing rights. Let’s walk through it in...

If you’ve been apartment hunting, you’ve probably come across the term effective rent. This term appears mostly next to a price that looks lower than expected. So, what is effective rent? 

An effective rent is a number landlords use to show a lower average rent after factoring in special offers, like a free month. And that is across the length of your lease...

Moving out comes with many moving parts. That is packing, landlord inspections, looking for movers, and so on. And in most cases, cleaning the unit is rarely something that would cross your mind at that moment. So, when we come across the question, “Can landlords charge for cleaning?” it actually makes a lot of sense.

And in many cases, they can. But generally, that de...