u/Sabrina8282

I’m dealing with a complicated housing situation and I’m curious whether anyone has experienced something similar.

I’m one of the leaseholders on an apartment. Someone moved into the unit under a verbal agreement that they would help pay rent and complete required sublease paperwork with management. I later found out management says the paperwork was never actually completed and the person is not an authorized occupant.

There are text messages discussing rent obligations and the paperwork process, but the person is now refusing to leave voluntarily. The lease is also close to ending and nobody plans on renewing.

I already attempted to start handling this through court, but I’ve received mixed information about whether a leaseholder (rather than the actual property owner) can legally pursue removal in this type of situation.

I’m mostly wondering:
- has anyone experienced something similar,
- how was it ultimately resolved,
- and did management or the leaseholder end up handling the process?

Not looking for formal legal advice — just trying to understand how situations like this usually play out.

I’m a college student in Philadelphia and I’m dealing with an unauthorized occupant situation in my apartment. I’m one of the leaseholders, and last year I let someone move into the unit under a verbal agreement that she would pay rent and complete the required sublease paperwork with management.

She represented that she submitted the paperwork and fees, but I later found out from management that she never actually signed or completed anything and is not approved to live there. She only made limited partial payments, was repeatedly late, and is now refusing to leave voluntarily.

Management told us this is considered an internal issue between the leaseholders because she is not on the lease. I went to Philadelphia City Hall/Municipal Court and was told that because I am not the property owner, I may not be able to file a traditional ejectment action myself. I filed a civil complaint regarding unpaid money and the occupancy situation, but I’m still trying to understand the best legal route from here.

The lease is almost over and nobody plans on renewing, but I’m worried about protecting myself and the other student roommates from consequences with management while also getting her out legally.

Has anyone in Philadelphia dealt with a situation where:
- someone moved in without completing the sublease,
- management confirmed they were unauthorized,
- but the leaseholder was told they weren’t technically the owner so removal became complicated?

What ended up happening and what was the correct process?

Location: Philadelphia
I’m a college student in Philadelphia and I’m dealing with an unauthorized occupant situation in my apartment. I’m one of the leaseholders, and last year I let someone move into the unit under a verbal agreement that she would pay rent and complete the required sublease paperwork with management.

She represented that she submitted the paperwork and fees, but I later found out from management that she never actually signed or completed anything and is not approved to live there. She only made limited partial payments, was repeatedly late, and is now refusing to leave voluntarily.

Management told us this is considered an internal issue between the leaseholders because she is not on the lease. I went to Philadelphia City Hall/Municipal Court and was told that because I am not the property owner, I may not be able to file a traditional ejectment action myself. I filed a civil complaint regarding unpaid money and the occupancy situation, but I’m still trying to understand the best legal route from here.

The lease is almost over and nobody plans on renewing, but I’m worried about protecting myself and the other student roommates from consequences with management while also getting her out legally.

Has anyone in Philadelphia dealt with a situation where:
- someone moved in without completing the sublease,
- management confirmed they were unauthorized,
- but the leaseholder was told they weren’t technically the owner so removal became complicated?

What ended up happening and what was the correct process?