Hello [landlord name]
I am writing because I was locked out [or threatened to be locked out] of my home at [address]. On [date], you [describe what happened].
Pennsylvania law makes clear that self-help evictions and lock-outs are illegal. A landlord cannot prevent a tenant from gaining access to the property by changing the locks, padlocking the doors, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or forcing an eviction through similar methods. Tenants can only be removed from the property by a sheriff acting pursuant to a court order.
If landlords do any of these things, it is considered a “class III offense,” and they can face significant fines. Illegal lockouts also open up landlords to lawsuits that can include up to $2,000 in punitive damages per lockout attempt.
Please comply with your obligations and refrain from any further attempts to lock me out of my home.
Thank you,
[Name]
[Date]