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Last verified: · Confidence: high
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Pennsylvania?
Short answer
At a glance: 30 days
Return deposit (plus interest) with written damage list within 30 days
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
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