Are you being evicted during COVID-19?
Here is information from our Regional Housing Unit, updated Feb. 16, 2023.
Being evicted? How to prepare and what you need to know
(Article updated Feb. 16, 2023)
Apply for rent and utility assistance, if applications are still being accepted
Note: Rent and utility assistance funds are becoming limited. The money that was available during COVID-19 to help renters avoid eviction and prevent homelessness is running out.
Please see our website news article at bit.ly/rent-utility-help for updates (last updated Feb. 13, 2023) and more information.
Pennsylvania Emergency Rent [and Utility] Assistance Program (ERAP)
PA's Dept. of Human Services (DHS) website for the Emergency Rent [and Utility] Assistance Program (ERAP) is open for applications. http://bit.ly/38YznWs.
Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) Program: www.buckscounty.org/renthelp or call 1-888-50-BUCKS. This program announced updates on April 10, 2023. Please see our website news article at bit.ly/rent-utility-help and see the “Bucks County update” from April 10, 2023.
Chester County announced announced changes in December 2022. Please see our website news article at bit.ly/rent-utility-help and scroll down to “Chester County update.”
Need rental assistance? Call 211 and select prompt 2.
Tarde con el pago de la renta? Enfrentando un desalojo? Llame al 211.
Resources in English: Flyer | Frequently asked questions | Applicant checklist
En espanol: Flyer - espanol | Lista de verificación del solicitant
Chester County Government press release
Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) closed for applications Sept. 10, 2022 and announced Feb. 10, 2023 that it is closing after utilizing 100% of its funds. This program announced changes in September 2022. Please see bit.ly/rent-utility-help and scroll down to “Delaware County update.”
Montgomery County:
The Emergency Rent and Utilities Coalition (ERUC), Montgomery County's COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), will stop accepting new applications as of April 1, 2023.
Applying for ERAP recertification? Last day to apply for ERAP recertification in Montgomery County: Friday, March 31, 2023.
Making a NEW application for ERAP? Last day to apply for ERAP (new applications) in Montgomery County: Saturday, April 1, 2023.
ERAP was enacted to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may still be able to receive prospective rent payments so long as recertification is processed before April 1; afterwards, agencies will strictly serve backlogged applicants.
Questions? Contact yourwayhome@montgomerycountypa.gov.
To apply, call Your Way Home by dialing 211 or visit https://www.pa211.org, or contact any of the six participating nonprofits directly. See LASP’s website news article for other organizations which are helping: bit.ly/rent-utility-help.
Norristown Emergency Rental, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance - Home Improvement Program (ERMUA) https://hip.cgph.net/norristown-cares. Clients can call 484-808-2112, email NorristownCARES@gmail.com, or fill out an application online.
Are you having difficulties getting your rental assistance application processed?
If you are having difficulties getting your rental assistance application processed, contact Legal Aid of Southeastern PA at 877-429-5994 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or apply online 24/7 at lasp.org/apply. Some of the rental assistance programs are backed up. Often, LASP or your local state representative's office can resolve the issue.
Prepare for your hearing
If you make a settlement or repayment agreement, get it in writing.
Print your evidence before court:
rent receipts,
pictures of repair issues, and/or
promises from your landlord.
You can file a Cross-Complaint for free anytime before the hearing. You have this right under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. Rule 508.
What is a 'Pay and Stay' judgment?
If the eviction is for non-payment of rent only, you can pay what is owed, plus court costs, before the eviction and stay.
To learn if you have a "Pay and Stay" judgment: Look at the eviction notice under "Disposition Details." A "Pay and Stay" judgment will say:
“Possession is granted and at any time before actual delivery of the real property is made in execution of the Order for Possession, the defendant may, in a case for the recovery of possession solely because of failure to pay rent, satisfy the Order for Possession by paying to the executing officer the rent actually in arrears and the cost of the proceedings.”
Your right to appeal
You can ask the court to waive the appeal filing fees by completing an “In Forma Pauperis” petition at the court. (This is a declaration that you do not have enough money to pay for filing fees.)
You must file your appeal within 10 days of the "disposition date" to stay in the property during the appeal. (The "disposition date" is usually the same date as your eviction hearing.)
You must pay your rent into the court escrow to stay during the appeal.
If you don’t appeal, the earliest you can be evicted is 21 days from your eviction hearing date.
Your belongings
Take important papers and medicine with you. After eviction, you may not be able to get back in.
Notify your landlord, in writing, within 10 days, to say that you are not abandoning your property.
The landlord may move your belongings to storage and charge you.
You then have only 30 days from the eviction date to get your belongings out.
Contact us
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) provides free civil legal aid in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Local offices are in Bristol, Chester city, Doylestown, Media, Norristown, Pottstown and West Chester.
Call the free Helpline: 877-429-5994 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Apply online: lasp.org/apply (24/7).
Download 2-page flyer
More information
Flyers for rent and utility assistance, currently available in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, are here: bit.ly/rent-utility-help.
Visit lasp.org/news.
Esta siendo desalojado? COMO DEBE PREPARARSE Y QUE NECESITA SABER
(Nueva fecha: 27 de agosto de 2021)
Solicitar asistencia de alquiler
Los nuevos fondos fueron aprobados el 27 de diciembre de 2020. Compruebe los recursos disponibles en su condado.
Programa de asistencia de alquiler [y servicios públicos] de emergencia de Pensilvania (ERAP): http://bit.ly/38YznWs.
Enlace de vivienda en el Condado de Bucks: 1-888-50-BUCKS o www.buckscounty.org/renthelp.
Condado de Chester: Tarde con el pago de la renta? Enfrentando un desalojo? Llame al 211 o visite https://www.pa211.org.
Condado de Delaware: delco-era.com. Llame 484-729-4200, envíe un correo electrónico a info@delco-era.com.
Condado de Montgomery: Your Way Home of Montgomery County’s Emergency Rent & Utility Coalition. Llame 211 o visite https://www.pa211.org. O comuníquese directamente con cualquiera de las siguientes seis organizaciones sin fines de lucro participantes:
ACLAMO: https://aclamo.org/housing-vivienda/housing-assistance-eruc-pre-screen-tool/ o llame al 610-277-2570 (área de Norristown) o al 610-970-2134 (área de Pottstown).
Servicios para la familia del condado de Montgomery: fsmontco.org/what-we-do/emergency-rent-and-utilities, envíe un correo electrónico a ERU@fsmontco.org o llame al 610-630-2111, ext. 235.
Manna en Main Street: mannaonmain.org/need-help/getting-help o 215-855-5454.
Grupo de comunidades religiosas de Pottstown: pottstowncluster.org/covidrentutilityassistance o llame al 484-393-5441.
YWCA del condado de Montgomery: ywcatricountyarea.org/ERUC.
Norristown: Asistencia de emergencia para alquiler, hipoteca y servicios públicos de Norristown - Programa de mejora del hogar (ERMUA). https://hip.cgph.net/norristown-cares. Los clientes pueden llamar al 484-808-2112, enviar un correo electrónico a NorristownCARES@gmail.com o completar una solicitud en línea.
¿Tiene dificultades para procesar su solicitud de asistencia para el alquiler?
Si tiene dificultades para procesar su solicitud de asistencia para el alquiler, comuníquese con Legal Aid of Southeastern PA al 877-429-5994 de lunes a viernes de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. o solicite en línea las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana en lasp.org/apply. Algunos de los programas de asistencia para el alquiler están respaldados. A menudo, LASP o la oficina de su representante estatal local pueden resolver el problema.
Prepárese para su audiencia
Si usted hace un acuerdo de pago, asegurese de tenerlo por escrito.
Imprima sus pruebas a presentar ante la corte.
recibos de alquiler,
fotos de problemas de reparación, mantenimiento, y/o
promesas incumplidas de su arrendador.
Puede presentar una queja cruzada de forma gratuita en cualquier momento antes de la audiencia. Usted tiene este derecho bajo la Regla 508 de Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J.
¿Qué significa en la decision de la corte el 'Pagar y quedarse'?
Si el desalojo es sólo por no pago del alquiler, puede pagar lo que se adeuda, más los costos de la corte, antes del desalojo y la estancia.
Para saber si tiene una sentencia de "Pagar y quedarse": Revise el aviso de desalojo en "Detalles de la disposición". Un juicio de "Pagar y quedarse" dirá:
“Se concede la posesión y en cualquier momento antes de que se realice la entrega real de los bienes inmuebles en ejecución de la Orden de posesión, el acusado puede, en un caso de recuperación de la posesión únicamente por no pagar el alquiler, satisfacer la Orden de posesión abonando al ejecutor el alquiler efectivamente adeudado y el costo del proceso ”.
Su derecho a apelar
Puede pedir al tribunal que renuncie a las tasas de presentación de apelación completando una petición "In Forma Pauperis" en el tribunal. (Esta es una declaración de que usted no tiene suficiente dinero para pagar las tasas de presentación.)
Usted debe pagar su alquiler en depósito a la corte para permanecer durante la apelación. (La "fecha de disposición" suele ser la misma fecha que la audiencia de desalojo.)
Si no apela, lo más temprano que puede ser desalojado es 21 días a partir de la fecha su audiencia de desalojo.
Sus pertenencias
Lleve consigo papeles y medicinas importantes. Después del desalojo, es posible que no pueda volver a entrar.
Notifique a su arrendador por escrito dentro de los 10 días, que usted no está abandonando su propiedad.
El arrendador puede mover sus pertenencias a un almacenaje y cobrarle por ello.
Una vez que haya notificado al arrendador, usted sólo tiene 30 días a partir de la fecha de desalojo para sacar sus pertenencias.
Contáctenos
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) proporciona asistencia legal civil gratuita en los condados de Bucks, Chester, Delaware y Montgomery.
Llame a nuestra línea de ayuda gratuita: 877-429-5994 de lunes a viernes, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Puede aplicar en línea: lasp.org/apply (24/7).
Descargar
Más información
Los folletos de asistencia para el alquiler y los servicios públicos están aquí: bit.ly/rent-utility-help.
Visite lasp.org/news.