Question About Tenant Rights in PA?

Question

About a year ago, I moved in with a friend who owns a 3 unit apartment building. We live on the top floor, we have a tenant on the second floor, and the first floor unit is empty.

The property has a driveway, with room for 4 cars. Me, my friend, and our tenant can use the driveway for our own vehicles, but any friends or family that come over have to park in the street because there simply isn't enough room for more vehicles.

Lately, the second floor tenant, Sarah, has been having alot of friends over, and they've been parking in the driveway at all sorts of weird angles, even blocking in me and my friend at times. Trying to keep the peace, we haven't said anything. But now, Sarah asked if she can have her friends park in the driveway, she says she has a RIGHT as a tenant to let her friends park there. Me and my friend, the owner/landlord say no, and told her so. She says this isn't fair. So, do Sarah's friends have a right to use the driveway?

Answer 1

There is no law that gives her any rights to the driveway.  It all depends on what the lease states.

Most leases have a section to designate what parking is available.  If you put "driveway" it needs to say 1 parking spot only.

If your lease is not specific enough in this regard - draft an addendum specifying that she only has use of 1 parking spot.  You all need to sign it. Then if she uses any more than that, it is a violation of the lease and grounds for eviction.

Answer 2

It really depends "Sara's" lease and Rules and Regulations of the property.  If the Owner/Manager has not done so he needs to specify parking..he may do this with an addendum to the lease but that notice has to giver her 30 days to make that change.  For example he can say as of  August 14, 2008 Only tenants, no relatives or friends may park in driveway.  If this is stated in the current lease the Owner should provide "Sara" with "Notice to comply or Quit" this notice simply states what the problem is and what she must do to stay a tenant there.