Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Philadelphia Municipal Court — landlord-tenant, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Philadelphia the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Philadelphia Municipal Court — landlord-tenant is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. L&I is the Philadelphia conditions and rental-license door. Municipal Court is where possession is heard.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Philadelphia Licenses & Inspections is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What does Philadelphia add on top of Pennsylvania law?
Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act is the floor. Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections, the Fair Housing Commission, and local just-cause / good-cause rules for many tenancies are the City layer. Coverage is a unit question. L&I is not a substitute for Municipal Court.
Where are evictions heard in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia Municipal Court hears landlord-tenant cases. A notice is a step. A complaint with a court name is a case. Legal aid the same day. Do not use a Pittsburgh process on a Philadelphia address.
The Philadelphia layer
L&I is the Philadelphia conditions and rental-license door. Municipal Court is where possession is heard.
Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. §§ 250.101 to 250.602) is the Pennsylvania floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Philadelphia questions
Can my landlord in Philadelphia evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Philadelphia Municipal Court — landlord-tenant is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Philadelphia?
That number is in Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What does Philadelphia add on top of Pennsylvania law?
Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act is the floor. Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections, the Fair Housing Commission, and local just-cause / good-cause rules for many tenancies are the City layer. Coverage is a unit question. L&I is not a substitute for Municipal Court.
Where are evictions heard in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia Municipal Court hears landlord-tenant cases. A notice is a step. A complaint with a court name is a case. Legal aid the same day. Do not use a Pittsburgh process on a Philadelphia address.
What number should I call in Philadelphia?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Philadelphia Licenses & Inspections does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org