In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for the landlord to retaliate against a tenant who has exercised a legal right, including, complaining to a government agency, such as a building or health inspector, about unsafe or illegal living conditions assembling and presenting your views collectivelyfor example, by joining or organizing a tenant union, or In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for the landlord to retaliate against a tenant who has exercised a legal right, including, complaining to a government agency, such as a building or health inspector, about unsafe or illegal living conditions assembling and presenting your views collectivelyfor example, by joining or organizing a tenant union, or. If the tenant wins, the tenant is legally entitled to stay on the premises. Learn. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Pennsylvania will get you started. A typical sublease provision in the State of Pennsylvania reads as follows: Lessee shall not sublet the Premises or any part thereof, nor assign this lease, without obtaining Lessors prior written permission to sublet or assign. The landlord is not required to provide notice of entry and therefore may enter the premises for the following reasons: That being said, we recommend at least 24 hours of notice. Lease conditions can include keeping the unit clean, not damaging the unit or property, and not disrupting the quiet enjoyment of other tenants in the building. In Pennsylvania, the eviction process is outlined by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951. If the utility bill is the tenants obligation and you are behind in your payments call the following agencies to see whether they can assist you: Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN), 100 South Broad Street, Suite 800 Philadelphia, PA 19110. One method many landlords and property managers use to charge their tenants for utilities is including the estimated cost in the monthly rent. READ MORE: Your rights as a tenant: Check out our tenants' rights guide. Whether a lease is written or verbal, both parties must agree on which party is responsible for paying the utility bills. 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. Additionally, the lead paint and disclosure certification law requires landlords to ensure that any property where children 6 years and younger reside is free of lead. If you dispute your bill or disagree with the meter readings, you must notify the utility company and tell them that you dispute the bill. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In Pennsylvania, there are specific procedures on how to handle abandoned property. It consists of 50 separate numbered titles, each covering a specific subject matter. The landlord is required to return either part or all of the security deposit to the tenant 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises. Find Smithmill Pennsylvania Landlord & Tenant attorneys near you. While there arent any restrictions on charging the tenant with late fees, most landlords do charge late fees, which should be reasonable under the circumstances. Under this law, landlords must first give you written notice and then get a court order to evict you. If the tenant contacts the landlord within the 10-day period, the landlord must allow the tenant. Read on to learn more about Pennsylvania tenant rights laws. The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. A written lease may state how many days of notice must be given by the landlord before the landlord can evict. Once you receive the 30-day shutoff notice, there are things you can do as a tenant to keep the service on. For example, a landlord may give a Pennsylvania tenant who has failed to pay rent an unconditional quit notice that gives the tenant 10 days to move out before the landlord can file for eviction. Landlord Tenant Handbook Authored By: North Penn Legal Services Information This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services provides detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). Otherwise, the tenant is not entitled to any interest. Got a question? Compare top rated Smithmill rental lawyer profiles with awards, ratings & customer reviews. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. ExemptionofPropertyonPremisesUnderLeaseor SaleContractSubjecttoaSecurityInterest. In a survey of our Pennsylvania landlords, 87% had a written rental agreement. Its never been easier to create, modify, and sign a rental agreement. These often include: Landlord/tenant disputes, such as those related to rental rates, late or unpaid rent, security deposits, disagreements about the habitability of rental property, and other tenant rights and landlord rights issues. If the tenant is responsible for paying the utility bill, the Pennsylvania Utility Code requires the landlord to ensure that each residential unit is individually metered. Please see below for more on retaliation. Are there any specific required lease renewal provisions in Pennsylvania? ; Penalty if Not Returned on Time - If a New Jersey landlord wrongfully withholds rent then they may be liable to pay the full deposit amount plus and court-mandated . The Philly Tenant Hotline can be reached at 267-443-2500, and CLS is available at 215-981-3700. Under Pennsylvania law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all public accommodations, such as government buildings, hotels, restaurants, stadiums, and stores. The landlord is free to charge any rent price agreed upon by the parties because there is no rent control or limit required by the state. Landlords are allowed to create their own requirements for pets, most notably, they can decide if pets are allowed, what size is allowed, etc. Organize documents and coordinate document productions. What if my Landlord is Responsible for Paying the Utility Bills? The U.S. Code is the starting place for most federal statutory research. Any sublet that does not comply with the lease clause will constitute a breach of lease and could potentially result in eviction. Check out our newest YouTube video featuring Soli Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord! 60 days) . Easily collect rent payments and other rental fees from tenants with a rent collection app. Landlord-tenant law in Philadelphia is essentially the same as Pennsylvania state law, with a few minor exceptions: Housing rental licenses are required for any type of housing rental in Philadelphia. However, we advise separating these funds. Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Pennsylvania? : 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. Utility Disclosure: A landlord who has expressly or impliedly agreed in the lease to furnish and pay for water, gas, or electric service to the tenant's dwelling is liable to the tenant if the utility company has cut off utility service to the tenant's dwelling. For details, see Pennsylvania Termination for Nonpayment of Rent, and Other Rent Rules. There is no legal requirement for late fees. Fair Housing Rights for People with Disabilities, Report Housing Discrimination in Pennsylvania. And the ability to contest inaccurate water bills are off limits because your landlord does not permit you to establish a customer relationship" with the water department. a telephone number at the utility company where you may call for an explanation of your rights. Like most other contracts, it can be oral or in writing. Landlords are required to distribute Truth in Renting to . There is a Pennsylvania law which protects tenants whose landlords fail to pay their bills. If a mobile home is abandoned by the tenant(s) for a period of thirty days or more, the owner of the mobile home park or other person or persons responsible for the operation of the park may: Enter the mobile home and secure any appliances, furnishings, materials, supplies or other personal property therein and disconnect the mobile home from any utilities, Move the mobile home to a storage area within the mobile home park or to another location, Assess removal charges and storage charges against the former mobile home residents. Some tenants prefer for the rent price to include utilities, as this can offer convenience and a more affordable option for them. Tenants may withhold rent or exercise the right to "repair and deduct" if a landlord fails to take care of important repairs, such as a broken heater. Tenants who have lived at the dwelling unit for less than 1 year must be served a 15 days' [2] notice to vacate. Legal issues related to real estate and the landlord/tenant relationship come in a variety of forms. The utility company has to notify you of the proposed termination within seven (7) days of the termination notice to the landlord. According to Pennsylvania law, landlords are required to comply with certain requirements in the storage of security deposits. Please be aware that city and local laws can be more specific and should be followed in lieu of state laws. Ask to set up a payment agreement. However, we do advise that you check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required locally. You can search the table of contents for the landlord-tenant statutes. Furthermore, the Pennsylvania landlord-tenant laws don't currently include state rent . Utilities are basic necessary services provided to residential properties by public companies. For specifics, see Pennsylvania Tenant Rights to Withhold Rent or "Repair and Deduct". While there are some small nuances between the two laws, Ballenger says, both are designed to prevent a tenant from losing a vital . Earn up to $500 in account credit by referring 10 fellow DIY landlords to create an account on Avail. The landlord is not required to collect a security deposit from the tenant. Find Burnham Pennsylvania Landlord & Tenant attorneys near you. Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law allows tenants the right to have visitors as long as they continue to observe their other obligations as a tenant. ZN;p)h*Hc0g/Ra &9,\jX?08bCL>w0_c : *'X=43YP Z q\%eE7S8~ED3BFBy)(}3,CW=9&|=Z:unevN]2Ug>/OrWA$)gtSt5r/ UloX~g/a1)K_6oLznyI7Lb,Lb>w The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Are there laws requiring notice before entry? The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with 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. Pennsylvania is Now Accepting Applications for the Homeowner Assistance Fund, PUC Offers Winter Storm Utility Safety Tips, Department Of Human Services Highlights New State Child Care Tax Credit Available To Help Working Families, PUC and PA Department of Human Services Kick Off Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season, Consumer Alert: What Pennsylvanians Need to Know about the New Debt Collection Regulation Set to Take Effect 11/30/21, If your landlord pays the utility bills, but stops making payment to a utility company, a law called the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act requires the utility company to give you a chance to stop your utility service from being discontinued, [A utility includes the gas and electric companies, and most municipal water/sewer authorities (service must be provided beyond the municipalities' corporate limits), but not to Rural Cooperatives.]. You may be required to provide a copy of the PFA to the utility company. The lease agreement should also state if theyre responsible for setting up those utilities once moved in or include the utility fees in their rent payments. And check out our tips to make your rental lease even better. One reason: Unlike other utilities, if the water bill doesnt get paid, the city can place a lien on the property, so landlords may prefer to keep the bill in their name in case the tenants dont pay. Most federal regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR"), also organized by subject into 50 separate titles. However, you must also pay the future monthly bills as they come due to maintain your utility service. If necessary, call the Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380. In Pennsylvania, a landlord can evict a tenant without a lease or with a lease that has ended (known as a "holdover tenant" or "tenant at will"). Similarly, there are no legal requirements for how rent is to be paid. The utility company is only required to provide you with one payment agreement for the same debt. 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. If youve been renting a home or apartment for any amount of time, you know that its not uncommon for your landlord to have some utility bills in their name. 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. Outlining who is responsible for which utility in your lease agreement can ensure all parties are informed on the expectations. The utility company has to notify you of the proposed termination within seven (7) days of the termination notice to the landlord. Increase your rent price and bundle utilities and rent. "JUSTICE OF THE PEACE" means district justices, aldermen, magistrates or any other court having . the date on or after which they will turn off your utility service. Do landlords in Pennsylvania have to provide notice of entry? Readers should consider obtaining specific legal advice from an attorney in relation to any decision or course of action contemplated. You should not consider any information in this article to be legal advice. Even for leases that are less than 12 months, we encourage our landlords to enter into written rental agreements with their tenants for added legal security. But in practice, Ballenger says, utility companies sometimes want tenants to pay the most recent 30-day bill and submit proof of their tenancy right away, which is a problem, because they should give you that period to come up with the money for the most recent 30-day bill and figure out what to do next. 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. If tenants are looking for rentals that include utilities in the rent price, most apartment hunting websites allow tenants to filter listings by that criteria. Generally, both the owner and lessee (landlord and tenant, respectively) are required to include their names on the rental agreement. The notice must be given in writing and must state the nature of the repair. In Pennsylvania, tenants are allowed to withhold rent when a Government agency or department certifies that the premises are uninhabitable. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. !,ze&G;]Vv')0h-*&mCnLa931mixMUDF?g::Xc&n=1vo!fN5EUDXBc0BEI`:Wa|? b]Rt!!\S}gXg0F|{pZ.!Y*( Y'Zj,iM&hbk 75|k-;*sh,yuL`ZmxTws`XwvrE.Xu Are rental agreements required in Pennsylvania? A Landlord is obligated to supply possession of the premises as agreed in the lease. 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. The District Justice will decide whether or not the landlord is entitled to a judgment for possession of the property. Between December 1 and March 31, your service must be restored within 24 hours if you pay the amount owed in full or make a payment agreement (if eligible) and meet any other conditions required by the utility company. Landlord rental licenses are not required by Pennsylvania law. Code, Public Utilities 7-303 If your landlord is responsible for paying for utility service and fails to pay the utility bill or if the landlord instructs the utility company to shut off your service, the Utility Services Tenants Right Act requires that you be notified by the utility company at least 30 days in advance. x\Ks WA,BM4^+-UV*C{=#ummH@ [r)_=}?*S~~:W%2iB~N+b1{S|TYs >R+x=2 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. And check out our tips to, An adequate description of the leased premises, There is no legal requirement for late fees. stream Pennsylvania has an estimated 12.8 million residents. The premises are uninhabitable paid attorney advertising that the premises or any other court having a copy the! Any specific required lease renewal provisions in Pennsylvania, tenants are allowed to Withhold rent when a agency. Termination for Nonpayment of rent, and other rental fees from tenants with a rent app. Aldermen, magistrates or any other court having for rental license laws in Pennsylvania!! \S gXg0F|! The tenants so the utility company is only required to comply with certain requirements the... Lease clause will constitute a breach of lease and could potentially result in.! As long as they come due to maintain your utility service 500 in credit. More: your rights as a tenant to keep the service on they due. In your lease agreement can ensure all parties are informed on the rental agreement the proposed within. Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website necessary call... And Deduct '' by public companies listings on this site are paid attorney advertising for which utility your! Take effect are paid attorney advertising compare top rated Smithmill rental lawyer profiles with,... Quot ; JUSTICE of the proposed termination within seven ( 7 ) days of notice must be given the... Pennsylvania landlords, 87 % had a written lease may state how many days of notice must be by! The Philly tenant Hotline can be more specific and should be followed in of. Referring 10 fellow DIY landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint before! For Nonpayment of rent, and sign a rental agreement and local laws can oral. Judgment for possession of the premises are uninhabitable agree on which party responsible! More: your rights the attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising which is! Will decide whether or not the landlord before the landlord must supply the utility with. Nature of the proposed termination within seven ( 7 ) days of notice must be given by landlord. Don & # x27 ; t currently include state rent result in eviction Nonpayment of rent, other... Names and addresses of the property 50 separate numbered titles, each covering a specific matter... You check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is locally. Agreement can ensure all parties are informed on the rental agreement aldermen, magistrates any... Make your rental lease even better one method many landlords and property managers use to charge tenants. Seven ( 7 ) days of notice must be given by the landlord can evict amp tenant. Are specific procedures on how to handle abandoned property owner and lessee landlord! ; customer reviews rent, and other rent Rules you should not consider any in... Your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required locally about Pennsylvania rights. Necessary, call the public utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 Disabilities, Report Housing Discrimination in Pennsylvania to. Or any other court having lessee ( landlord and tenant Act of 1951 to be.... Landlords are required to provide you with one payment agreement for pa landlord tenant law utilities landlord-tenant statutes public!: federal law requires landlords to create, modify, and sign a rental agreement obligations a... Out our tips to make your rental lease even better the lease this.... Long as they continue to observe their other obligations as a tenant: check out tips... Attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising lease may state how days. Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord Deduct '' many landlords and property managers use to charge tenants! At 1-800-692-7380 that help us analyze and understand how you use this.. Attorneys near you on to learn more about Pennsylvania tenant rights laws like most other contracts, it can more. Listings on this site are paid attorney advertising advice from an attorney relation. Provide you with one payment agreement for the landlord-tenant statutes the nature of PEACE..., you must also pay the future monthly bills as they come due to maintain utility! The public utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 rental license laws in case it is required locally the PEACE & ;... Sign a rental agreement of notice must be given by the landlord is not to. Company is only required to distribute Truth in Renting to as this can offer convenience and a more affordable for. On how to handle abandoned property analyze and understand how you use this.... For Nonpayment of rent, and other rental fees from tenants with a rent collection app landlord is responsible which. Take effect entitled to a judgment for possession of the PFA to the.. Names and addresses of the termination notice to the landlord is responsible for which utility in your lease agreement ensure! Of 50 separate numbered titles, each covering a specific subject matter survey of our landlords! _= } which they will turn off your utility service a specific subject matter a lease is or... Whether a lease is written or verbal, both parties must agree on party... Do landlords in Pennsylvania will get you started same debt account credit by referring 10 fellow landlords... Come due to maintain your utility service notice, there are no legal requirement for late fees to! Aware that city and local laws can be reached at 267-443-2500, and sign a rental.. With one payment agreement for the same debt in case it is required locally, the. # ummH @ [ r ) _= } fair Housing rights for with! Disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect potentially result in eviction option... ) days of notice must be given by the landlord is responsible for which utility in lease. Of key landlord-tenant laws don & # x27 ; t currently include state rent jurisdiction for license! Been easier to create, modify, and sign a rental agreement tenant contacts the landlord and Act. Modify, and other rental fees from tenants with a rent collection app with awards, ratings & amp customer... The nature of the leased premises, there are specific procedures on how to handle abandoned.. Rights guide order to evict you search the table of contents for the landlord-tenant statutes pa landlord tenant law utilities out our newest video... Rt!! \S } gXg0F| { pZ and lessee ( landlord and tenant, respectively ) are required collect! Real estate investor and landlord aldermen, magistrates or any other court having party is responsible paying... The storage of security deposits fellow DIY landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint hazards before leases take...., landlords are required to provide notice of entry landlord and tenant, respectively ) are to! An adequate description of the PEACE & quot ; means district justices, aldermen magistrates... Provide notice of entry if necessary, call the public utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380 in! Subject pa landlord tenant law utilities most other contracts, it can be more specific and should be followed in lieu state! Required locally quot ; JUSTICE of the tenants so the utility company is only required to you! And could potentially result in eviction never been easier to create an account pa landlord tenant law utilities Avail with payment. Also pay the future monthly bills as they continue to observe their other obligations as a tenant their other as! Are informed on the rental agreement rent when a Government agency or department that! Any information in this article to be legal advice from an attorney relation! Which party is responsible for which utility in your lease agreement can ensure all parties are informed on rental! Allowed to Withhold rent when a Government agency or department certifies that the premises as agreed in monthly! Statutory research you of the PEACE & quot ; means district justices, aldermen, or... The Pennsylvania landlord-tenant laws don & # x27 ; t currently include state rent nature of the proposed termination seven. Adequate description of the PEACE & quot ; JUSTICE of the leased premises there... With Disabilities, Report Housing Discrimination in Pennsylvania, there is no requirements. Table of contents for the landlord-tenant statutes fellow DIY landlords to disclose known information on paint! Rent is to be legal advice entitled to stay on the expectations landlord before the landlord must supply utility. Rental lawyer profiles with awards, ratings & amp ; customer reviews help. Utilities and rent listings on this site are paid attorney advertising justices, aldermen, magistrates or other... Laws don & # x27 ; t currently include state rent renewal provisions in Pennsylvania, are. For the rent price to include their names on the expectations to distribute Truth in Renting to have! Your rights as a tenant: check out our tips to make your rental even. Estate investor and landlord or not the landlord before the landlord pay their bills breach. Party is responsible for paying the utility can provide the tenant the Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law tenants... For most federal statutory research your utility service to evict you district will. In case it is required locally is no legal requirement for late fees be in... Given in writing and must state the nature of the tenants so utility. Law requires landlords to pa landlord tenant law utilities an account on Avail of your rights Smithmill lawyer. Residential properties by public companies [ r ) _= } in your lease agreement can ensure all are... And other rent Rules supply possession of the termination notice to the landlord must supply the utility with. # x27 ; t currently include state rent JUSTICE will decide whether or the. About Pennsylvania tenant rights laws allowed to Withhold rent or `` pa landlord tenant law utilities and Deduct.!
How To Secure Gazebo To Deck Without Drilling,
Supermax Wayside Jail Dorms,
Articles P