Rule 1321 - Housing Court ProceduresThe following procedures shall govern all claims filed with or transferred to the Housing Court (see Local 76 for definition of Housing Court), including appeals from Magisterial District Judges involving Landlord and Tenant issues.
(1)Service of Notice of Appeal and Other Papers: see Local Magisterial District Court 1005 regarding service of Notice of Appeal and, if appellant was the tenant before the Magisterial District Judge, of the Complaint.(2)Complaint: The Complaint may be simplified by filing a "short form" Landlord Tenant Complaint available at the Housing Court Help Desk. All Complaints shall contain a signature of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's counsel (Pa.R.C.P. 1023), an endorsement (Pa.R.C.P. 1025), a Notice of Hearing Date, Notice to Defend, and Notice of Duty to Appear at Arbitration Hearing (Form 1320A) and three copies of a Notice of Intention to Appear (Form 1320B) hereof, and must have the following attached to it: (a) A copy of the written Lease, if any, that exists between the parties and which is the subject of the appeal; and,(b) A copy of the written Notice to Quit or Notice of Lease Termination, if any, that was served upon to the Tenant.(3)Arbitration: At the time the Complaint is filed, an arbitration hearing date is assigned by the Housing Court Clerk, and the case will be heard before an arbitration panel. See local 1301-1308 for arbitration procedures.(4)Notice of Intention to Appear (Form 1320B): the filed Notice of Intention to Appear shall be a sufficient answer to the Complaint.(5) A counterclaim may be set forth in either the filed Notice of Intention to Appear or a separate pleading, by a statement indicating concisely the nature and amount of same. No reply to a counterclaim shall be required. If one is filed, it may be limited to a general denial.(6) For Motion and Petition Practice, including requests for in forma pauperis, related to Housing Court Matters see Local 206.4(c)(5), 208.3(a)(7), 1028(c)(3), and 1034(a)(3).Adopted December 27, 2019, effective 2/19/2020; amended effective 9/13/2022; amended effective 11/13/2023.See Forms 1320A and 1320B.