Tenant protection - PA Showing a propertyp

[hurundis2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

My spouse and I and my elderly mom will probably be renting a home together to take care of Mom. Thinking ahead to when the time would come for us to move out, and a new tenant move in, we are wondering what to do about the owner's need to show the place to another tenant at the end of our lease.

I am not 100% positive, but it appears PA has no law about landlords and access to their occupied property. (Correct or not?)

Knowing that it would be difficult to move my handicapped mom, and worrying about the possibility of our cats escaping when a door is left open, we would like some control over how much notice must be given before a showing, and how late in the lease such showings can begin.

Can an addendum be put on the lease? What stipulations might be reasonable? Any suggested wording?

Thanks for reading, and for any help.

 

[Cvillecpm]

Landlords always have access to their properties.

Some access requires notice to the residents; however, many do not require the residents' agreement to the entry.

 

[ecmst12]

It would be reasonable to request 24 hours notice before entering for any non-emergency reason, and to ask that to be put into the lease.

Landlords are capable of closing a door quickly to prevent animals escaping. You would not have to move your mom or leave the house at all when the place is being shown, nor would you have to stay. It will be entirely up to you whether you choose to be present during a showing - but the LL does not have to schedule it around your preferences.

 

[Baranov]

There are no statutes regarding entry in PA. It is up to you and your landlord to negotiate such matters BEFORE you enter into a lease agreement. Whatever agreement you do enter in, get it in writing.

 

[hurundis2]

Thanks very much to all three of you for taking the time to share your thoughts. It's much appreciated.

ecmst12, I was thinking 24 hours was reasonable myself, so hearing it from you as well felt right. Baranov, thanks for your confirmation on the law, and your suggestion to get it in writing beforehand - this is exactly what we're trying to do, so it stays understood and civil later.

So, assuming we say we'd like 24 hours notice on non-emergency entries and have that added to the lease, one other question remains:

What is customary or reasonable about when showings can begin? 60 days before the lease ends? 30 days? I hope to ensure they don't go on much more than this, and do want to be reasonable, so a little more input would be helpful on this question.