Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law
Security deposits, late fees and notice periods for Pennsylvania landlords, in plain English, with a link to the statute for each rule.
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent in the first year of the lease; 1 month from the second year on.
Deposit return deadline
30 days after move-out, with an itemized list of damages.
Late fees
No statutory cap; must be in the lease and reasonable.
Notice for unpaid rent
10-day notice to quit (the lease can waive this).
Ending a month-to-month lease
15 days for leases of 1 year or less or month-to-month; 30 days for longer terms.
Rent increases
No state rent control. Follow the lease.
Local rules: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have additional rules, including Philadelphia's Good Cause eviction ordinance.
Sources
Tools for Pennsylvania landlords
Rent increase calculator
New rent plus Pennsylvania notice rules.
Prorated rent
Partial-month rent for move-ins and move-outs.
Rental property calculator
Cash flow, cap rate and cash-on-cash return.
Pennsylvania housing market
Typical home $287K, median city rent $1,690/mo.
Philadelphia, PA
$386K home$1,903 rent5.9% yield
▲ 2.5% 1 yr
Pittsburgh, PA
$228K home$1,467 rent7.7% yield
▲ 0.2% 1 yr
Allentown, PA
$363K home$1,841 rent6.1% yield
▲ 3.2% 1 yr
Harrisburg, PA
$307K home$1,481 rent5.8% yield
▲ 2.6% 1 yr
Scranton, PA
$234K home$1,362 rent7.0% yield
▲ 2.3% 1 yr
Lancaster, PA
$386K home$1,575 rent4.9% yield
▲ 4.3% 1 yr
York, PA
$309K home$1,380 rent5.4% yield
▲ 3.4% 1 yr
Reading, PA
$311K home$1,551 rent6.0% yield
▲ 3.5% 1 yr
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Check the statute or a local attorney before acting.