In Pennsylvania, there are no rent control laws, meaning landlords can generally raise rent as much as they want. However, they must adhere to legal procedures, including providing tenants with written notice before implementing a rent increase.
Key Points for Tenants:
- No Rent Cap: Pennsylvania has no statewide laws that limit how much landlords can increase rent.
- Written Notice: Landlords must provide tenants with written notice of a rent increase. Verbal notices are not valid.
- Notice Period: The required notice period depends on the lease type:
- Weekly lease: 7 days’ notice
- Monthly lease: 30 days’ notice
- Quarterly lease: 60 days’ notice
- Annual lease: 60 days’ notice
- Lease Agreements: Rent increases must be made in accordance with the lease agreement. Landlords cannot raise the rent in the middle of a lease term unless the tenant agrees.
- No Retaliation: A landlord cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right, such as filing a complaint of discrimination or contacting code enforcement.
- Discrimination: Landlords cannot discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or other protected categories.
- Philadelphia: Philadelphia has its own housing code that may include additional guidelines or protections for tenants regarding rent increases. Tenants should consult local resources to understand the specific regulations that apply within the city.
New Legislation:
- A new bill was unveiled in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, designed to protect tenants from exorbitant rent hikes.
- The bill puts a cap on rent increases for current tenants at 10% and only once per year.
- Landlords would also be required to provide tenants with written notice of the increase at least 90 days before the new rate goes into effect.
- New tenants can’t be charged more than 15% above what the previous tenant was paying.
- Exemptions include dormitories, new construction (10-year exemption), small landlords who own fewer than 15 residential rental units, and rental properties regulated or certified as affordable housing.
Sources
[1] https://6abc.com/rent-in-pennsylvania-rental-rate-protections-pa-legislation-politics/14545976/
[2] https://stoner-law.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-pa/
[3] https://rentpost.com/resources/article/raise-rent-laws-in-pennsylvania/
[4] https://www.gibperk.com/understanding-pennsylvania-lease-agreements-legal-terms-every-tenant-should-know/
