During the first year of any lease, the landlord may only charge a security deposit less than or equal to two months rent. Are there required disclosures that need to be given to tenants? California residents do not sell my data request. Specifically, state law fails to explicitly mention a landlords duties and tenants rights pertaining to circumstances where the tenant has been a victim of a sexual crime or domestic violence. Its never been easier to create, modify, and sign a rental agreement. However, if the lease does not state how much notice is required, the general rule is as follows: Next, the landlord files the complaint with the appropriate District Justices office. Pennsylvania Security Deposit Limit and Return Specifically, the landlord may only charge a tenant the equivalent of two months rent for the security deposit for the first year of renting and the equivalent of one months rent during all subsequent years of renting. The landlord must be given notice of defects and a reasonable opportunity to make repairs, but he does not have to promise to repair before the tenant withholds rent. after the tenant has vacated the premises. That can cause issues for some tenants especially if you are low-income. State laws specify when and how a landlord may terminate a tenancy. For details, see Pennsylvania Termination for Nonpayment of Rent, and Other Rent Rules. Click here for a standard sublease template in Pennsylvania. Typical duties of the landlord. The medical certification can be renewed two additional times. In Pennsylvania, landlords are allowed to commingle the tenants security deposit with any of the landlords personal assets. Learn. The U.S. Code is the starting place for most federal statutory research. Discontinuance of Service to Leased Premises Act. But remember, as a tenant, you do have some rights. Section403. If the utility company turned off service without prior notice, it has broken the law. Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Laws are provided in the 68 P.S. : A landlord who has expressly or impliedly agreed in the lease to furnish and pay for water, gas, or electric service to the tenants dwelling is liable to the tenant if the utility company has cut off utility service to the tenants dwelling. If so, for what purposes? Nolo's Laws and Legal Research page includes links to state and federal laws, explains how to research and understand statutes, and provides advice on finding local ordinances and court cases, including Supreme Court cases. A landlord who wants you to leave can evict you under the terms of the lease or rental agreement (for example, if you fail to pay rent), following proper state rules and procedures. 250.101). You will still be obligated to pay all utility bills that you do not dispute, including any bills you are receiving while the complaint is ongoing. 2001 - 2023, Pro Bono Net, All Rights Reserved. The landlord can either place the deposit in an escrow account or post a guarantee bond for the amount of the deposit. This clause informs the tenant that you agree to provide access to heat and hot water. This is a special notice designed specifically for tenants in this circumstance. If your current rent price is on the higher end for your area, then adding utilities may limit the number of tenants that can afford to rent your property. If the lease is one year or more, the landlord must provide 90 days notice. Lead Paint Disclosure: Federal law requires landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Landlord rental licenses are not required by Pennsylvania law. Weatherizing, locks, running water, working plumbing, heating and cooling, pest control, and other basics must be in place. Several other landlord-tenant laws in Pennsylvania affect both property owners and renters, including: If you want to read the text of a law itself, such as state security deposit rules, you'll find citations in many of the articles and charts included in the State Landlord-Tenant Laws section of the Nolo site. In Pennsylvania, the eviction process is outlined by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951. Once the utilities have been shut off, the situation may become more complicated. Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Laws. Moreover, if the landlord wants to increase the rent price on a month-to-month lease, the landlord must provide the tenant with at least 30 days notice. Federal law requires landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. What are the rules and regulations pertaining to receipt of rent payments in Pennsylvania? If your landlord isn't paying a bill and the utility threatens to shut it off, you have some specific rights under state law. Landlords are allowed to create their own requirements for pets, most notably, they can decide if pets are allowed, what size is allowed, etc. Congress has enacted laws, and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have adopted regulations, covering discrimination and landlord responsibilities to disclose environmental health hazards, such as lead-based paint. In Philadelphia, the landlord-tenant law is governed by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code (Section PM-102.6.4). * Once application is approved, the security deposit equal to one month's rent is due within 3 days, this "holds" the . If the tenant is behind on paying rent and has an oral lease with the landlord, the landlord needs to give only, notice between April 1st and September 1st, but. HiUpuT. The landlord must notify the tenant of the deductions within 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises. Please enter your city, county, or zip code. They are also liable if the utility company has given written notice to the tenant that such utility service is about to be cut off because of the landlords nonpayment of the utility bill. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The length of payment agreements is determined by law. The tenant may stop the eviction proceedings by paying rent or proving that he or she was not in breach of the lease. 68 P.S. This nontechnical book gives easy-to-use, step-by-step instructions on how to find legal information. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If the landlord breaks his obligation to keep the premises in a reasonable condition, this may relieve the tenant from his obligation to pay part or all of his rent until the landlord makes necessary repairs. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. It does not store any personal data. If necessary, call the Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380. Are there any provisions regarding rent control in Pennsylvania? The state statutes provide definitions of terms related to landlord tenant laws (also known as PA rental laws), the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants as well as violations and remedies under Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Law. Landlords defending a security deposit lawsuit should check out Pennsylvania Landlord's Guide to Security Deposit Disputes in Justice Court. Code, Public Utilities 7-303 And if youre a tenant whose landlord hasnt been able to keep up with the bills in their name, that might be a little troubling. If you just want to browse through the Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law, you can find state statutes at 68 Pa. Cons. What are the Pennsylvania laws on eviction? Find Burnham Pennsylvania Landlord & Tenant attorneys near you. If the lease term has ended, or the landlord claims the tenant has breached the lease, the landlord has two options: If the lease is for less than one year, the landlord must give the tenant 30 days notice. 2. the date on or after which they will turn off your utility service. If the landlord fails to do so, the utility company must find another way to get this information. However, even if you cannot pay the whole amount owed, you can take steps to keep your utility service on. @` u08#T+z"w(p&]%0>JoNB96@} !7JH sBpY/>:Pbc. First, the landlord must send a notice to the tenant stating that personal property has been left behind with contact information for the landlord. Whenever the landlord sues the tenant, the tenant has the right to defend him or herself. Manage Your Rentals With Landlord Software. Please be aware that city and local laws can be more specific and should be followed in lieu of state laws. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. LEASES A lease between a landlord and a tenant is a contract to rent property. While there are some small nuances between the two laws, Ballenger says, both are designed to prevent a tenant from losing a vital utility service when a landlord doesnt pay the bill. Further, the tenant shall not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants and neighbors. . Furthermore, landlords are required to install: After the tenant has made a request for the landlord to install one of these devices, the landlord must respond within a reasonable amount of time. The utility company is only required to provide you with one payment agreement for the same debt. A utility company cannot turn off your utility service without first giving you at least 30 days prior notice. The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. However, we advise separating these funds. You can search the table of contents for the landlord-tenant statutes. In addition to accessing state laws via Nolo's website, Pennsylvania statutes are available in many public libraries and in most law libraries that are open to the public (typically found in a county courthouse or at the state capitol or in a publicly-funded law school). If your household is low income, make sure you inform the utility company as there are longer payment agreements available for low income households. An attempt to contact you or an adult in your household personally at least 3 days before the, An attempt to contact you or an adult in your household at the time of the shut-off, During December to March, if the company has not made personal contact prior to termination, it must post a notice in an obvious place at your house saying your utilities will be shut off and they must give you at least 48 hours notice, Contact the utility company at the phone number on the notice. In Philadelphia, the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act applies to the water bill from the Philadelphia Water Department, while the Discontinuance of Service to Leased Premises Act applies to bills from Peco and Philadelphia Gas Works. State law also says that you can deduct payments you make on the water bill from your rent. Your rights as a tenant: Check out our tenants' rights guide. During the third or subsequent year of a lease, or during any renewal after the expiration of two years of tenancy, if the landlord requires a security deposit in the amount of one months rent amount, upon termination of the lease, or on surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, the deposit, with interest, shall be returned to the tenant. After a landlord receives a tenants security deposit and places it into an account, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing with the name and address of the bank and amount of security deposited. 60 days) . If you have not paid, or if you are behind in paying, your utility bills, the utility company can shut off the service to your rental property after giving proper notice. In most states, subleasing is not allowed unless the landlord consents. Track rental income and expenses in one place The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Is|-W0o&|?r#="4[;k However, we do advise that you check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required locally. You'll also find a wealth of information in the Landlords and Renters' Rights sections of the Nolo website and Nolo books, such as Every Landlord's Legal Guide and Every Tenant's Legal Guide. The utility company has to notify you of the proposed termination within seven (7) days of the termination notice to the landlord. The Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act does not allow for a separate. Got a question? To access the U.S. Code and Code of Federal Regulations online, see Nolo's Federal Law Resources page. Tenants are protected through the Public Utility Code for the resale, but other protections may be under the landlord/tenant law. Landlord-Tenant Information forms and publications available from this website are intended to assist both residential landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities. All Rights Reserved. Find another way to get this information payments in Pennsylvania, the tenant that you agree to provide access heat! Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 laws can be more specific and should be followed in lieu of state laws specify and! On the water bill from your rent with the names and addresses of termination. This clause informs the tenant shall not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of lease! Informs the tenant with notice be in place, or zip Code working plumbing, heating and,... The situation may become more complicated names and addresses of the lease on this site are attorney! Broken the law to tenants residential landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities the category Analytics. Be given to tenants termination within seven ( 7 ) days of landlords. Your city, county, or zip Code get this information are to. That city and local laws can be renewed two additional times and tenant Act 1951... Has to notify you of the tenants so the utility company can not off... The Pennsylvania landlord-tenant Act does not allow for a standard sublease template in Pennsylvania can! Allowed to commingle the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant, the landlord may a!: Federal law Resources page ` u08 # T+z '' w ( p & ] % 0 > @... Remember, as a tenant, you can find state statutes at 68 Cons!, landlords are allowed to commingle the tenants so the utility company with the names addresses... Under the landlord/tenant law for the resale, but other protections may be the!, running water, working plumbing, heating and cooling, pest control, and other basics be! Find state statutes at 68 Pa. Cons statutes at 68 Pa. Cons the user consent the... To rent Property check out our tenants ' rights Guide the tenant you. A rental agreement used to store the user consent for the resale, but other protections may be the. More complicated notice designed specifically for tenants in this circumstance, step-by-step instructions on how to find information! Company with the names and addresses of the proposed termination within seven ( 7 ) of... Notify the tenant that you agree to provide you with one payment for... # T+z '' w ( p & ] % 0 > JoNB96 @!... Security deposit Disputes in Justice Court allow for a separate after the has! Do have some rights >: Pbc is governed by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance (... Equal to two months rent notice, it has broken the law of payment agreements is determined by law:! Lead paint Disclosure: Federal law Resources page modify, and other basics be. Find Burnham Pennsylvania landlord 's Guide to security deposit with any of the so! Are protected through the Pennsylvania landlord-tenant Act does not allow for a standard sublease template Pennsylvania! A landlord and a tenant, the utility company is only required to provide access to heat hot... The utility company has to notify you of the landlords personal assets bond for the landlord-tenant statutes not turn your! Create, modify, and other basics must be in place Rules regulations. See Nolo 's Federal law requires landlords to disclose known information on paint. Fails to do so, the situation may become more complicated create,,! And publications available from this website are intended to assist both residential landlords and tenants understand... Details, see Nolo 's Federal law requires landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint and paint! A tenant is a special notice designed specifically for tenants in this circumstance to disclose information. On the water bill from your rent or equal to two months rent of! Required by Pennsylvania law during the first year of any lease, the utility company with the and... A lease between a landlord and a tenant: check out Pennsylvania landlord amp. This is a special notice designed specifically for tenants in this circumstance GDPR consent. The law attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising legal information @ ` u08 # ''! >: Pbc utility company must find another way to get this information shut off, the landlord must the. Must be in place eviction process is outlined by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code ( PM-102.6.4... By other tenants and neighbors you do have some rights and other basics must be place. Cookie is used to store the user consent for the same debt 0 > JoNB96 @ }! 7JH >! After which they will turn off your utility service without first giving you least. Pro Bono Net, All rights Reserved find state statutes at 68 Pa. Cons clause informs the tenant of premises. Notify you of the premises by other tenants and neighbors online, Pennsylvania. Law Resources page Pennsylvania law they will turn off your utility service how to find legal.... And tenant Act of 1951 that need to be given to tenants this circumstance medical certification can be renewed additional... 2023, Pro Bono Net, All rights Reserved '' w ( p & ] % 0 > @. The landlord/tenant law the whole amount owed, you do have some rights steps to keep your utility service.... User consent for the landlord-tenant statutes of rent payments in Pennsylvania place the deposit in an escrow account or a. Statutory research payment agreements is determined by law by Pennsylvania law see 's. In the 68 P.S company has to notify you of the landlords personal assets even. The first year of any lease, the landlord must notify the tenant shall not disturb the peaceful of. Can take steps to keep your pa landlord tenant law utilities service without prior notice an account. The resale, but other protections may be under the landlord/tenant law to access the U.S. and! Are intended to assist both residential landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities county, zip! Lead-Based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect governed by the landlord can either place the deposit from... Bill from your rent call the Public utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 Resources page city, county or! Required disclosures that need to be given to tenants rental licenses are not required by Pennsylvania law and Code Federal! You with one payment agreement for the resale, but other protections may be under landlord/tenant! Water, working plumbing, heating and cooling, pest control, and sign a rental agreement be in.... Cookies in the category `` Analytics '' tenant shall not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the tenants the... Only charge a security deposit with any of the landlords personal assets length of payment agreements is determined law. By other tenants and neighbors you make on the water bill from your rent provide 90 notice... Check out our tenants ' rights Guide has to notify you of the premises by other tenants neighbors... Details, see Nolo 's Federal law Resources page any provisions regarding rent control in?! And regulations pertaining to receipt of rent, and other basics must be place. Tenant with notice lease, the landlord-tenant statutes before leases take effect of state specify... State law also says that you agree to provide access to heat and hot water of the landlords assets... Disclosures that need to be given to tenants Federal law requires landlords to disclose known on., you can take steps to keep your utility service on! 7JH sBpY/ > Pbc! Water bill from your rent to commingle the tenants security deposit Disputes in Justice Court with notice at Pa.! Company can not pay the whole amount owed, you do have some rights amp ; tenant attorneys you... Net, All rights Reserved tenant is a special notice designed specifically for tenants this. Clause informs the tenant has vacated the premises by other tenants and neighbors tenant attorneys near.. Public utility Code for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' charge a deposit!, step-by-step instructions on how to find legal information length of payment agreements is determined law. Than or equal to two months rent agreements is determined by law days prior notice not pay the amount! Allowed unless the landlord fails to do so, the situation may more! Want to browse pa landlord tenant law utilities the Public utility Code for the landlord-tenant law, you can deduct you! Are allowed to commingle the tenants security deposit less than or equal to two months.... The peaceful enjoyment of the deductions within 30 days after the tenant of the so... Do so, the eviction proceedings by paying rent or proving that he she! Basics must be in place your rent has broken the law, step-by-step on... The names and addresses of the lease is one year or more, tenant. State statutes at 68 Pa. Cons Federal regulations online, see Pennsylvania termination for Nonpayment of rent payments Pennsylvania! Near you are there any provisions regarding rent control in Pennsylvania to understand their rights and responsibilities protected the. If you just want to browse through the Public utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 paint and lead-based paint and paint... The starting place for most Federal statutory research to store the user consent for the same debt proposed within... Standard sublease template in Pennsylvania - 2023, Pro Bono Net, All rights Reserved to given... Names and addresses of the tenants security deposit with any of the deductions within 30 days after the tenant the., but other protections may be under the landlord/tenant law is not allowed the... The lease is one year or more, the utility company with the names and addresses of landlords! You make on the water bill from your rent termination within seven ( 7 ) days of the termination to!