Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus.

1410 Posts and Counting

Common Level Ratio Rises in Allegheny County

No. 1,267 The Common Level Ratio, established by the State Board of Equalization, increased from 1.09 to 1.15, effective tomorrow, July 1, 2016. This means that if a property is assessed at $100,000 and is transferred for lees-than-arms-length consideration, the realty transfer tax was formerly paid on $100,000 x 1.09 or $109,000.  Now it is […]

On Ramp to Heaven

No. 1,266

Brexit: Change is Coming!

No. 1,265 The jump occurred today. But,as everybody knows, its all in the landing. On this historic day, several legal publications are predicting a Brexit  bonanza for lawyers. Well, of course! Change and uncertainty al- ways create a demand for lawyers. Meanwhile, other publications predict massive layoffs in Britain. CLT  

Is a Landlord Required to Provide a Smoke Alarm Under Doctrine of Implied Warranty of Habitability?

No. 1,264 ECHEVERRIA v. HOLLEY, 2016 PA Super. 119 (filed June 9, 2016). Summary:  Failure of Landlord to provide a working fire detector may support either a contract claim under doctrine of warranty of habitability or a tort claim though negligence. A fire at a two-unit residential property claim the lives of three individuals. In […]

Seminar Update

No. 1,263 I will be participating in a Pennsylvania Bar Institute seminar at the PBI education facility in Pittsburgh on Landlord Tenant Law next Wednesday, June 29.  The seminar topics go beyond the basics, including such areas a utility shut off, fair housing and human relations and eviction procedures. I will also participate in a […]

Flying Solo: Going to Court Without a Witness

No. 1,262 Summary:  When your client cannot travel,  you may have to consider calling the other party as a witness to prove your case. If your client lives half-way across the country and cannot come to trial, you may be forced to consider obtaining the testimony you need from the other party. In such a […]

Signs of the Times: Cell Phone Penalties Rise, But Rules Are Ignored.

No. 1,261 If your cell phone rings in the courtroom in the Allegheny County Common Pleas Criminal Division, expect it to be confiscated and expect to pay the Clerk of Courts $175.00 (according to one tipstaff) to get it back. An older sign stated that the penalty was $50.00.  Apparently that didn’t work. Nevertheless, at […]

Rental Properties in Pennsylvania are Required to Have Operating Carbon Monoxide Detectors

No. 1,260   Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act 35 P.S. § 7221 – 7227 (Current through 12/18/2013) (When referring to section numbers, use the last digit of each section. For example, 25 P.S. §7222 might be referred to as Section 2 of the Act) TABLE OF CONTENTS Short title Definitions Administration Carbon monoxide alarm requirements […]

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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