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Pennsylvania
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Q: Does Pennsylvania have rent control?

No, Pennsylvania does not have statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice.

Everything a landlord needs to know about Pennsylvania law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

PA Magisterial District Courts →Eviction Guide

out of 10 · Neutral

📋

Notice Period

10 days

⏱️

Full Eviction

~60 days

💰

Deposit Max

2 months (1st yr), 1 month (after)

🔑

Entry Notice

None req.

💳

Late Fee Cap

None

✅

Rent Control

Live Market Data · RentCast

Pennsylvania Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026

1 Bedroom

$1,249

2 Bedrooms

$1,397

3 Bedrooms

$1,550

YoY Trend

-5.7%

Days on Market

38d

Philadelphia W

19143

1BR$1,499

2BR$1,495

3BR$1,600

YoY

-6.2%

DOM

41.63d

Listings

604

Pittsburgh S

15210

1BR$999

2BR$1,299

3BR$1,500

YoY

-5.3%

DOM

34.76d

Listings

230

Pennsylvania Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Pennsylvania

Serve Notice

10-day written notice for non-payment of rent. No special delivery method required by statute.

File Complaint

If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 10 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $96–$250.

Court Hearing

Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.

Judgment & Possession

If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.

ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE

10d

Filing + Hearing (14d)

Writ (29d)

Average total: 60 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Pennsylvania security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰

Maximum Deposit

2 months (1st yr), 1 month (after)

Per current statutes

📅

Return Deadline

14–45 days

After tenant vacates

📋

Itemization Required

Yes

Written itemization of deductions

📈

Interest Required

Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Pennsylvania law

✅ Landlord Rights

→No rent control

→Distress for rent available

⚖️ Tenant Rights

→Habitability

→Deposit return in 30 days

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Pennsylvania before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint

📄 Bed bugs (Philadelphia)

Rent Control Status

Pennsylvania rent increase and rent control laws

✅

No Rent Control in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Pennsylvania Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Pennsylvania?+

The average eviction timeline in Pennsylvania is 60 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 10 days. Filing fee is $96–$250.

What is the security deposit limit in Pennsylvania?+

In Pennsylvania, the security deposit maximum is 2 months (1st yr), 1 month (after). Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.

Does Pennsylvania have rent control?+

No. Pennsylvania has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.

How much entry notice is required in Pennsylvania?+

Pennsylvania does not require advance notice before entering a rental unit by statute, though best practice is always to notify tenants.