How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Pennsylvania?

Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent during the first year, and one month's rent after the first year. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511a) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512).

Is there a limit on late fees in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Pennsylvania?

Notice is 15 days for terms of one year or less and 30 days for longer terms; Landy's lease uses 30 days. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Pennsylvania?

Tenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501) The case is filed as a landlord-tenant complaint in Magisterial District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Pennsylvania?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Pennsylvania tenancies are governed by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Pennsylvania with the statutory citations printed in it.

Pennsylvania Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has to respect the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951: a security deposit capped at two months' rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Pennsylvania tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Pennsylvania rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Pennsylvania lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Pennsylvania landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Pennsylvania	Citation
Security deposit limit	two months' rentSecurity deposit may not exceed two months' rent during the first year, and one month's rent after the first year.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511a
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized list of damages within 30 days after termination.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512
Interest on deposits	RequiredPennsylvania requires interest on deposits held more than two years, for deposits over $100.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511b
Late fee limit	No statutory limitPennsylvania sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodPennsylvania sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	10 daysTenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501
Time to cure a lease violation	15 daysTenant generally receives 15 days' notice for a lease of one year or less, and 30 days for longer terms.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeNotice is 15 days for terms of one year or less and 30 days for longer terms; Landy's lease uses 30 days.	68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementPennsylvania has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement.	No statute on point

Disclosures a Pennsylvania lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978

If things go wrong in Pennsylvania

Where eviction is filed

Magisterial District Court, as a landlord-tenant complaint.

Governing law

Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, cited from the Pennsylvania Statutes.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Pennsylvania lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Pennsylvania?: Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent during the first year, and one month's rent after the first year. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511a) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512).
Is there a limit on late fees in Pennsylvania?: Pennsylvania sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Pennsylvania?: Pennsylvania has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Pennsylvania?: Notice is 15 days for terms of one year or less and 30 days for longer terms; Landy's lease uses 30 days. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Pennsylvania?: Tenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501) The case is filed as a landlord-tenant complaint in Magisterial District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Pennsylvania?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Pennsylvania tenancies are governed by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Pennsylvania with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Pennsylvania lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Pennsylvania lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Pennsylvania law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Pennsylvania attorney review your lease before you rely on it.