A Pennsylvania lease agreement highlights the arrangement between a landlord and a tenant so the landlord can rent their property to a tenant for a specific period. When a landlord drafts a lease agreement, they include information like both parties’ contact details, the property address, pet provisions, and payment guidelines.
Rental Lease Laws Overview
- Rent Control: No
- Limit on Late Fees: No
- Late Fees in Rental Agreement: No
- Grace Period: No
- License Required for Landlord: Yes in Philadelphia, No for the rest of the state
Screen tenants using a rental application before finalizing the lease.
By Type (6)
Room Rental Agreement
A specific agreement that governs the lease of a single room, including use of common areas, in a larger property.
Commercial Lease Agreement
A contract specifying the terms under which a company may use a property for commercial purposes.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
Lets tenants occupy a property on a monthly basis without a long-term commitment.
Required Lease Disclosures
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards. In accordance with federal law, Pennsylvania landlords must notify a tenant if the property they’ll be living in was built before 1978. This disclosure is necessary because it warns tenants of potential exposure to lead-based paint on the property’s interior, which can cause adverse health effects. [1]
- Security Deposit Notice. If a security deposit exceeds $100, the landlord must place the deposit in a federal or state-regulated banking institution and provide the tenant with the name and address of that institution. [2]
- Notice of Abandoned Personal Property. The landlord must notify a tenant of any property presumed to have been abandoned and must retain or store the abandoned property for at least ten (10) days from the date of the notice. [3]
Security Deposit
- Maximum Amount: A landlord cannot ask for more than two months’ rent as a security deposit.
- Receipts: Not specified by law.
- Interest Payments: The landlord must supply the tenant with any interest the security deposit earns once the tenant enters their third year or tenancy. [4]
- Bank Account: Not required.
- Returning Requirements: A landlord must return the tenant’s security deposit within thirty (30) days from the end of the lease. [5]
- Withholding Rules:Landlords can only withhold security deposit funds for tenant-caused damages, not for normal wear and tear. They must provide a written list of deductions within 30 days or forfeit the right to withhold any funds. [6]
Rent Payments
- Laws: No statute specifies when rent is due, but it’s common to be specified in the lease.
- Rent Control: No statutes for rent control. Rent increases should be regulated in the lease.
- Late Fees and Grace Period: No state-mandated late fees or grace period.
- Withholding Rules: If a landlord fails to provide essential services, tenants can withhold rent and deposit it into an escrow account. [7]
Landlord Right of Entry
- Notice Requirements: A landlord need not provide notice before entering the premises for emergency and non-emergency uses (No statute). However, it’s recommended that landlords produce a written statement and give reasonable notice before they enter.
- Keys, Locks, and Security: Tenants can change the locks with the landlord’s permission.
Property Repairs
- Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are required to provide essential services or utilities, such as water and heat. If they fail to do so, tenants may have legal grounds to withhold rent or take other appropriate actions.
- Tenant Repairs: Tenants must use the property as a dwelling, pay rent, keep it clean and maintained, and return it in the same condition as received, except for normal wear and tear. If a tenant breaches the lease by failing to maintain utilities, the landlord may issue a 15 or 30-day notice to vacate, depending on the lease term.
- Abandonment: No legally set length of time.
Terminating a Lease
- Month-to-Month Tenancy: Either party can terminate the tenancy through a 30-day notice.
- Unclaimed Property: If a tenant leaves property behind, the landlord must store it and send a written notice requiring retrieval within 10 days. The tenant can request that the landlord store it for 30 days from the notice date. [8]
Sample
Below, you can view our Pennsylvania lease agreement template. Download it as a PDF or Word file to start outlining your terms and conditions for a tenant:
