Pennsylvania Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)

Security deposits

Max

2 months' rent in the first year; 1 month's rent from the second year on.

Return deadline days

30 days

Itemization required

Yes

Interest required

Deposits over $100 must be held in a separate escrow account; from the third year of the lease it must earn interest, paid to the tenant yearly minus a 1% landlord fee (68 P.S. § 250.511b). Deposits of $100 or less: no escrow or interest.

Source: 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512

Late fees

We haven't verified a statewide rule for this yet. Check your lease, your city's rules, or a local tenant organization.

Landlord entry

Notice

No statute; follow the lease.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Landlord

Notice to quit: 15 days (lease of 1 year or less / indefinite) or 30 days (over 1 year) for eviction; tenants can waive this in the lease.

Source: 68 P.S. § 250.501

Rent increases

Rule

No statutory notice period.

Statewide rent control

No.

Repairs & habitability

Rule

Implied warranty of habitability (Pugh v. Holmes, 1979); rent withholding is possible in limited cases.

Source: Pugh v. Holmes, 405 A.2d 897 (Pa. 1979)

Retaliation

We haven't verified a statewide rule for this yet. Check your lease, your city's rules, or a local tenant organization.

Clauses often unenforceable in Pennsylvania

• Deposit above the 2-month (first year) / 1-month (later years) limit (68 P.S. 250.511a)