Pennsylvania rent increase law

The Landlord and Tenant Act sets no notice period and no limit for a rent increase. During a fixed term, the lease sets the rent.

Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951

• After a tenant has been in possession five years or more, a rent increase cannot require a bigger deposit. 68 P.S. § 250.511a(d) See Security deposit limit on the Pennsylvania page
• If you raise the rent within six months after tenants paid your unpaid utility bill to keep service on, the increase is presumed to be a reprisal. 66 Pa.C.S. § 1531 Utility Service Tenants Rights Act § 11 See Retaliation on the Pennsylvania page
• Philadelphia has its own notice rule for an increase at the end of a residential tenancy: at least 60 days before it takes effect for a tenancy of one year or more, and at least 30 days for a shorter tenancy, unless the lease requires longer. The notice must identify the increase amount, effective date and new payment amount. This is a Philadelphia rule, separate from the statewide notice-to-quit periods. Check the City's current requirements and any housing-program conditions before setting the date or treating refusal of a proposed increase as ending the tenancy. Philadelphia Code § 9-804(11): rent-increase notice

No state statute read for this page limits how much you may charge in rent. Cities, Philadelphia in particular, have their own codes with added rental rules, with selected rent-increase notice guidance summarized above; other municipal rules were not reviewed.

Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951

• A municipality may adopt carbon monoxide alarm rules equal to or stricter than the state's. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act § 7

You may not end or refuse to renew a residential lease because the tenant or a family member takes part in a tenants' organization or association.

68 P.S. § 250.205

• A tenants' organization is a group of tenants organized for any purpose directly related to their rights or duties as tenants. 68 P.S. § 250.102
• If you are the utility customer of record, you may not threaten or take reprisals against tenants who pay the utility to keep service on and deduct it from rent; damages are two months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees. 66 Pa.C.S. § 1531 Utility Service Tenants Rights Act § 11
• Under that utility rule, a termination notice, rent increase or substantial change in terms within six months after the tenant acted is presumed to be a reprisal, unless the termination is for rent not lawfully withheld. 66 Pa.C.S. § 1531 Utility Service Tenants Rights Act § 11