Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: high
Pennsylvania landlord deadlines
Statewide rules for Pennsylvania. Cities and counties can add their own rules. Statutes and agency pages: palegis.us.
Return deposit (plus interest) with written damage list within 30 days Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out
Within 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant surrenders the unit (whichever is first), give a written list of damages and pay back the remaining deposit and any unpaid interest. Missing the list forfeits the right to withhold for damages.
"Every landlord shall within thirty days of termination of a lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs, provide a tenant with a written list of any damages" palegis.us
"Any landlord who fails to provide a written list within thirty days as required in subsection (a), above, shall forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of sums held in escrow," palegis.us
Notes: Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 §512 (68 P.S. §250.512). Double damages for failure to return. Deposit cap: 2 months' rent in year 1, 1 month thereafter (§511.1).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Written notice of bank name/address and amount when deposits over $100 are escrowed Verified
Deadline: When the deposit is placed in the escrow account
Deposits over $100 must be held in an escrow account at a regulated institution; when deposited, tell each tenant in writing the bank's name and address and the amount.
Who it covers: Deposits over $100. A landlord may post a bond instead of escrowing (§511.3).
"When any funds are deposited in any escrow account, interest-bearing or noninterest-bearing, the lessor shall thereupon notify in writing each of the tenants making any such deposit, giving the name and address of the banking institution" palegis.us
Notes: §511.2(a).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Pay deposit interest annually on lease anniversary starting after the 2nd anniversary Verified
Deadline: Each year on the lease anniversary, starting after the 2nd anniversary
Once a deposit has been held two years, it must earn interest; the landlord keeps 1% per year and pays the rest to the tenant annually on the lease anniversary.
Who it covers: Deposits over $100 held more than two years; landlord keeps 1%/yr administrative fee.
"will be paid to said tenant annually upon the anniversary date of the commencement of his lease." palegis.us
"The provisions of this section shall apply only after the second anniversary of the deposit of escrow funds." palegis.us
Notes: §511.2(b)-(c).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
CO alarms in rental multifamily dwellings (3+ households) with fossil-fuel appliances, fireplace or attached garage Verified
Deadline: Before each new occupancy: replace missing/inoperable alarms and ensure batteries work
Owners of rental buildings with 3+ apartments that have fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or attached garage must install CO alarms near bedrooms and the appliance, and at each new occupancy replace missing alarms and make sure batteries work.
Who it covers: Only buildings with fossil fuel-burning heater/appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.
""Multifamily dwelling." Any house or building, or portion thereof, that is intended or designed to be occupied or leased for occupation, or occupied as a home or residence for three or more households" palegis.us
"Ensure that the batteries in each approved carbon monoxide alarm are in operating condition at the time the new occupant takes residence in the rental property." palegis.us
Notes: Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act, Act 121 of 2013. No statewide rental smoke-alarm statute captured; municipal codes (e.g., Philadelphia) apply.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Notice to quit at end of term: 15 days (lease 1 year or less/indeterminate) or 30 days (lease over 1 year) Verified
Deadline: At least 15 days before the lease ends (15 days for lease term 1 year or less / month-to-month; 30 days for lease term over 1 year)
To recover possession when a lease ends, serve a notice to quit giving 15 days (leases of one year or less, or month-to-month) or 30 days (leases over one year), unless the lease provides otherwise.
Who it covers: Lease may shorten or waive notice. Nonpayment: 10 days. Local law (e.g., Philadelphia) may require more.
"where the lease is for any term of one year or less or for an indeterminate time, the notice shall specify that the tenant shall remove within fifteen days from the date of service thereof, and when the lease is for more than one year, then within thirty days" palegis.us
"The notice above provided for may be for a lesser time or may be waived by the tenant if the lease so provides." palegis.us
Notes: §501(b),(e) (68 P.S. §250.501). This is an eviction-notice minimum, not a renewal-notice requirement; leases commonly set longer notice. No PA statute on rent-increase notice found.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction