Facing Eviction in Pittsburgh: What Can I Do?

This is not legal advice. We explain what the law says. We cannot tell you what to do in your situation. For that, talk to a lawyer. Find free legal and rent help in Pittsburgh.

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Under Pennsylvania law, only a court can evict you, and your landlord must follow each step. Allegheny County lets you raise retaliation as a defense, for example when a landlord evicts you for asking for repairs. Some Pittsburgh courts have also had a Lawyer of the Day program at eviction hearings. This page lists the steps you take, in order. For the full state rules, see the Pennsylvania eviction guide.

  1. To begin an eviction in Pennsylvania, your landlord must first give you a written notice to quit (a letter telling you to move out). Your lease can allow a shorter notice or say you gave up the notice. If you validly gave up the notice in your lease, your landlord can take you to court with no notice first.

    Pennsylvania General Assembly 68 P.S. § 250.501(a) Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (Version 1.1, June 13, 2022), Part V.C.1, Notice to Quit

  2. Only a court can make you leave your home. Your landlord cannot evict you themselves. Your landlord cannot change your locks or shut off your utilities (water, electric, or gas) to start an eviction. If you have a problem with your landlord, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection. Call its toll-free hotline at 800-441-2555.

    Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (Version 1.1, June 13, 2022), Part V.C.2, Landlord-Tenant Complaint

  3. Go to your hearing. If you do not show up, the judge can enter a judgment (the court's decision) against you. It can give your landlord possession of the home and make you pay court costs. It can also make you pay rent and money for your landlord's losses, if your landlord asked for them.

    Pennsylvania Code 246 Pa. Code Rule 504(d) Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (Version 1.1, June 13, 2022), Part V.C.3, Hearing & Judgment

  4. Allegheny County Chapter 885, signed into law on March 27, 2026, can help you in an eviction case your landlord files. First, you must show it is more likely than not that you did a protected tenant activity within 1 year before the eviction filing. A protected tenant activity is a lawful step toward healthy and safe housing, like asking for repairs. Then your landlord must prove with clear and convincing evidence (strong, clear proof) that it did not retaliate (punish you for it).

    Allegheny County Executive Innamorato Signs Anti-Retaliation Bill to Protect Tenants (press release) Allegheny County Council Allegheny County Code § 885.4(b)

  5. Allegheny County's retaliation ordinance protects specific tenant actions. Protected rights include asking for repairs and filing a complaint with a government agency. They also include joining or forming a tenant group, and speaking to the news media about your home's condition. This list is not everything the law covers.

    Allegheny County Council Allegheny County Code § 885.1(c)

  6. Allegheny County's retaliation defense has limits. A court finding that you did not pay rent without a good reason overcomes it. So does a finding that you caused serious damage on purpose or by carelessness. So does a finding that you seriously harmed other tenants or the property. A lease violation your landlord knew about and did not enforce against any tenant is not always enough to overcome it.

    Allegheny County Council Allegheny County Code § 885.4(c). The subsection breaks across a page, so the quote includes the printed page footer between "sufficient to" and "overcome"

  7. You can appeal the judgment (the court's decision) to the court of common pleas (the county's main trial court). File a notice of appeal with the prothonotary (the court clerk) within 10 days after the judgment is entered. Include a copy of the Notice of Judgment from the magisterial district judge (the local judge who heard your case). If you are a victim of domestic violence, you have 30 days instead. You must also file a domestic violence affidavit (a sworn form saying you are a victim).

    Pennsylvania Code 246 Pa. Code Rule 1002B(1)

  8. Filing the appeal alone does not stop the eviction. To stay in your home during the appeal, deposit money with the court clerk when you file. The deposit is 3 months of rent or the rent you owe, whichever is smaller. For example, 3 months of $900 rent is $2,700. After that, deposit each month's rent every 30 days.

    Pennsylvania Code 246 Pa. Code Rule 1008(b)(1)

  9. This is for renters who appeal an eviction with a tenant's affidavit (a sworn statement that they cannot afford the full deposit). If this month's rent is unpaid, pay the court 1/3 of the rent when you appeal. For $900 rent, that is $300. Pay the other 2/3 ($600) within 20 days of filing your appeal. Then pay full rent every 30 days, counted from the day you file your appeal. Rent means the amount the judge set. With a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), pay only your share.

    RenterLaw editorial Pennsylvania Code 246 Pa. Code Rule 1008(c)(1)

  10. If the eviction is only for unpaid rent, you can stop it at any time before the officer removes you. Pay the officer all the back rent plus court costs. The officer must give you a signed receipt.

    Pennsylvania Code 246 Pa. Code Rule 518

Published by Nazanin · September 24, 2026 · sources checked October 5, 2026

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