TL;DR
- • No eviction required — we buy Reading rental properties with tenants in place, including non-paying tenants
- • Reading's 61.5% renter-occupied rate makes tenant-occupied sales one of our most common situations
- • PA eviction takes 2–6 months — selling avoids the entire process and stops the cost bleed
- • Reading's 5% transfer tax = $9,250 on a $185K sale — we cover all closing costs so your net is the offer
- Case Study: He Sold His Destroyed Rental for $50K →
Reading PA: A High-Density Rental Market
According to NeighborhoodScout, Reading has a 61.5% renter-occupied rate — more renters than almost any other comparable PA city. Average rent is $1,748/month. According to the Berks County Recorder of Deeds (berkspa.gov), Reading's 5% transfer tax (4% city + 1% state) applies to all rental property sales. With 70.8% Hispanic population, many rentals in Reading serve families on tight budgets. When tenant situations go wrong — non-payment, property damage, licensing violations — the eviction and recovery process in PA is slow and costly. Selling to a cash buyer is often the fastest path out.
Tenant Situations We Buy Around
Non-paying tenant
PA eviction (Order for Possession) typically takes 2-6 months from filing to sheriff's removal. We buy the property with the non-paying tenant in place. You walk away with cash — no more court dates, no more stress.
Month-to-month tenant
Month-to-month tenancies in PA require 15+ days notice before termination. We buy with the tenant in place and manage the transition as the new owner.
Fixed-term lease
A current lease runs with the property. We account for the lease term in our offer. This is not a barrier to the sale.
Tenant-caused damage
Holes in walls, damaged fixtures, missing appliances, hoarding conditions. We buy in any condition. Tenant damage is factored into our offer — you don't fix it before closing.
Rental licensing violations
Reading requires rental licenses. An unlicensed or non-compliant rental can trigger city citations and orders. We buy properties with open rental licensing issues.
Multi-unit with mixed tenants
Duplexes and small apartment buildings where some units are occupied and some vacant. We buy the whole building as-is, regardless of occupancy mix.
The Math on Selling a Reading Rental
Reading's average rent is $1,748/month. If a tenant is not paying, that's $1,748/month in lost income plus $500-$1,500/month in carrying costs (taxes, insurance, utilities if applicable). A 6-month eviction process could cost $12,000-$20,000 in lost rent and expenses — before you even list the property. Plus agent commissions, Reading's 5% transfer tax, and potential repairs.
A cash sale eliminates all of that. The offer is lower than retail value — that's the tradeoff. But when you compare it to the actual cost of the full traditional path in Reading, a cash sale often nets you more in real money.
Get a Cash Offer on Your Reading Rental Property
Tenants in place, no problem. Written offer in 24 hours. We cover all closing costs. Hablamos español.
Reading PA Tenant-Occupied Properties — FAQ
Market data last updated: April 2026
Related: Code Violations in Reading · Sell Your Reading House Fast