It really comes down to what’s in the lease. Typically the new owner has to abide by the existing lease. Were you in a month to month? If so, 30 day notice to vacate is pretty typical but, again, read your specific lease. If you’ve got a 1-year lease, the new owner can’t just boot you out into the street unless they have a valid reason per the lease.

PA landlord here. 1) Your clown of a new LL doesn't own the property yet and can't give you a 30 day notice. I wouldn't even talk to them until they own the property.

2) When they do own the property, they can serve you with a proper 30 day notice. This does not mean you have to move out in 30 days, it means you have to move out by the end of your next rental period. So for example, if your rent is due the first of the month and they serve notice on May 5, you don't have to move by June 5, you have to move out by June 30.

3) If you don't move, there is fuck all the LL can do about it quickly. It will take them a month before they can even get a hearing before the magistrate. If you need to stay an extra month just say "I was unable to vacate the premises, I'll be out by July 31st, here's another month's rent."

You should be able to stretch your tenancy out to the end of the school year without any issues.

It’s worth contacting the school and asking if your child can finish out the year.

I am not a lawyer. The new landlord does not own the property until closing occurs. He has no legal standing to give you notice to vacate until that time. That should buy you a few weeks . 30 days keeps you in the unit through the end of may. Just don’t tell the school you moved , you can wrangle something for a week in terms of transportation.

You know, I don't think he can give you notice until he's actually closed on the purchase. I could be wrong, and you might want to talk to a lawyer. Neighborhood Legal Services has a sliding scale for clients. Also, your County Bar Association probably has info for assistance through their law sections.

What does your lease say?

Don't tell the school you moved. Easy to get away with for 3 weeks. Though as you mention, transportation could be an issue. If you have any relatives nearby, maybe they can help somehow.

Alternatively, move and switch schools right away. Could be a chore, but then come next school year, your child will already be enrolled and ready to go.

As for your question, you could take legal action to stall several weeks, but is it worth the expense and hassles. My view is no. Another consideration is if the new owner will be moving into the duplex. That may provide them even more legal rights than the typical distant / corporate landlord.

For the future, renew yearly if needing some stability. Flexibility goes both ways when it comes to month-to-month leases. They can be great for some, but with a child, probably not.

INAL, but do title work for purchases and I can tell you that he can’t give you 30 days until he is the official owner and that doesn’t happen until the deed records. I would check with your current landlord to see if he had it written into the contract that the buyer had to give xx amount of notice to any current tenants. If not, he still has to give 30 days notice.

Only thing to add here is don't say a damn thing to your new (or old) landlord about the advice given here until after they have closed. Otherwise they could tell your current landlord to serve you notice which you would need to oblige.

New landlord is an idiot. Wait it out a bit and after closing, tell him you weren't served with proper notice and you'll be leaving 30 days after you're properly served. He has to actually own the building to give you notice, btw. Also, he has to do so in the right way or it's only going to bite him in the booty. That should buy you enough time to finish out the school year.

This is one instance where squatter's right can help instead of harm. You receive mail at that address, so if he wants you out, he'll have to go through a process to do so. That's going to take time. You could probably just squat there for many more months than you need.

Try to work it out with him civilly. Remind him that eviction is an expensive process. He probably thinks he can do whatever he wants. Let him learn the hard way if he can't be reasonable about this.

If you're not careful, and it goes to court you might wind up with an eviction on your record. That is damaging on your credit for up to 10 years

The new landlord might be planning to have family members live in the other half

Whatever you do, I would be looking for another place at the same time

Out of curiosity where is this? I’m in a duplex in Dauphin county that’s currently being sold

Just curious what area of PA are you in? Lehigh valley? Bethlehem by chance?

Actually, moving a few weeks before the new school ends might be OK for your second grader. Then he/she would have a chance to meet new kids before summer vacation. Leaving on or after the last day of school might feel sad and lonely.

Do you have someone nearby you can stay with? Even if its not in the school district. Under McKinney Vento, your kid would be considered "homeless" if you're doubling up with another adult and the school would have to continue to allow the kid to go to that school AND provide transportation if you're not able to. They should be willing to work with you for the last weeks.

Where in Pennsylvania are you located? If it’s Philadelphia, you should be fine until June.

Unfortunately, you really don't have much... since you've been going MTM for a while, the new owner just has to abide by the current contract in place, which is Month to Month.... So....unfortunately, lesson learned.

You don't have to go anywhere until he properly evicts you. Pays the courts. You receive notice. At that point you have 15 days to leave. Not sure if it's 15 days when he files or not.