Charging Late Fees Not in the Lease

[vinzul]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Pennsylvania Philadelphia

My property manager sent me a letter adding an extra late fee to my late fees.

The letter stated he will now add an extra late fee for ever week the rent is late.
This is not in my lease. Can he do this? Also my lease will be up the end of this month.

thanks

[antrc170]

Probably not, but you need to read your lease. Look for any clauses that give the LL the power to address future problems or add additional fees, etc. Some try to sneak those in. Absent that, the LL cannot mofidy the contract that was signed when you moved in.

[vinzul]

Thank you

What about when the lease is up and I choose not to resign, but he allows me to stay at the property month to month.

[LawResearcherMissy]

He can then modify the terms with 30 days written notice. So, assuming that your lease expires at the end of this month - for the sake of example - your landlord could give you notice on November 1st that you would be held responsible for these fees, effective December 1st.

Your choice would then be to pay the fees, or immediately submit your own 30 day notice and move out by December 1st.