pa landlord tenant law utilities
If you market your rental property as utilities included, its important to explicitly state which utilities the tenants are responsible for paying in the rental listing and lease agreement. That should trigger the process of getting the tenants service restored, and getting the tenant in a position to make those ongoing payments to maintain service, he says. %PDF-1.4 HiUpuT. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Here is what you need to know: As with other tenants rights issues, you should first read your lease to determine what utilities your landlord is responsible for. Landlord-tenant law in Philadelphia is essentially the same as Pennsylvania state law, with a few minor exceptions: Housing rental licenses are required for any type of housing rental in Philadelphia. After a landlord receives a tenants security deposit and places it into an account, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing with the name and address of the bank and amount of security deposited. The notice should have a bill for the previous 30 days of service attached. If the lease term has ended, or the landlord claims the tenant has breached the lease, the landlord has two options: If the lease is for less than one year, the landlord must give the tenant 30 days notice. : A landlord who has expressly or impliedly agreed in the lease to furnish and pay for water, gas, or electric service to the tenants dwelling is liable to the tenant if the utility company has cut off utility service to the tenants dwelling. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Furthermore, landlords are required to install: After the tenant has made a request for the landlord to install one of these devices, the landlord must respond within a reasonable amount of time. Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Pennsylvania? Find Blair County Pennsylvania Landlord & Tenant attorneys near you. Contact your local legal services for further assistance. In Pennsylvania, the landlord may impose certain penalties if the tenant violates the terms of the rental agreement by subleasing the premises. Tenant'sExemption;Appraisement. Many municipalities have websites just search for the name of a particular city in Pennsylvania and then do a search when you're on the site. For example: A tenant has the right to adequate warning before a landlord visits the property or sends someone to the property for repairs. Landlords are allowed to create their own requirements for pets, most notably, they can decide if pets are allowed, what size is allowed, etc. Ask to speak to the supervisor and write down the name of the person you speak with. (July 2, 1993, P.L.379, No.54, eff. You may be required to provide a copy of the PFA to the utility company. See Q and A Eviction: My Landlord Has Threatened to Lock Me Out. A Landlord is obligated to supply possession of the premises as agreed in the lease. If the tenant is responsible for paying the utility bill, the Pennsylvania Utility Code requires the landlord to ensure that each residential unit is individually metered. To go further, check out Legal Research: How to Find & Understand the Law, by Stephen Elias and the Editors of Nolo (Nolo). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This guide will cover Pennsylvania, as well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia landlord-tenant law. Copyright Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania 2023. Whether the landlord is required to pay the tenant interest on a security deposit depends. Subleasing occurs when the original tenant rents the unit to another individual. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Landlord-tenant law in the city of Pittsburgh is the same as statewide law. If you pay this amount directly to the utility company, they cannot stop service to your home. Lessor shall not unreasonably withhold permission and will accept a reasonable sublease as provided by ordinance.. Get next-day payments with Fastpay You may also be able to apply to have future bills issued in your name. LANDLORD-TENANT LAW Generally speaking, most aspects of a landlord-tenant relationship are controlled by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. This nontechnical book gives easy-to-use, step-by-step instructions on how to find legal information. Finally, check USA.gov, the official U.S. website for government information. Under Pennsylvania law, landlords must disclose specific information to tenants (usually in the lease or rental agreement), such as the name and address of the banking institution where the security deposit is kept. The tenant needs to have that period of time to think through their options.. If your current rent price is on the higher end for your area, then adding utilities may limit the number of tenants that can afford to rent your property. The notice you receive must contain the following information: You have the right to deduct your payments to the utility company from your future rent payments. And the ability to contest inaccurate water bills are off limits because your landlord does not permit you to establish a customer relationship" with the water department. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Landlord-Tenant Information forms and publications available from this website are intended to assist both residential landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. evidence and priority of payment as is provided by law in the case of the mortgaging of . Are there required disclosures that need to be given to tenants? Our state-specific rental agreements include all the necessary notices and disclosures based on your propertys address. The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. after the tenant has vacated the premises. Tenants who have lived at the dwelling unit for less than 1 year must be served a 15 days' [2] notice to vacate. Call your utility company to inform them of your PFA so these special procedures and protections can put in place for you. Help prepare lawyers for meetings and court hearings. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We surveyed our landlords in Pennsylvania to find out what deposit amount they collected: When must a landlord return the deposit by in Pennsylvania? Cities and counties often pass local ordinances, such as health and safety standards, noise and nuisance regulations, and antidiscrimination rules that affect landlords and tenants. 6 0 obj There is no legal requirement for late fees. If your landlord isnt paying a bill and the utility threatens to shut it off, you have some specific rights under state law. If you find that other landlords are not, then including them for your rental may help your rental listing stand out in a competitive market. However, there are also rentals that do require tenants to cover the cost of common utilities. wa\`*t -+^9L^/w nXEI3un c-sw-b\D7NWt+o/Xc=gv 9 Sii!f2M~^jeH We receive a high volume of calls each day. Find Smithmill Pennsylvania Landlord & Tenant attorneys near you. Here's what you need to know. But right now, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia have some moratoriums against shutting off utilities due to nonpayment because of the coronavirus. What are the rules regarding rent payments in Pennsylvania? If so, for what purposes? This is a summary of Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant laws that apply to residential (non-commercial) rentals. !,ze&G;]Vv')0h-*&mCnLa931mixMUDF?g::Xc&n=1vo!fN5EUDXBc0BEI`:Wa|? b]Rt!!\S}gXg0F|{pZ.!Y*( Y'Zj,iM&hbk 75|k-;*sh,yuL`ZmxTws`XwvrE.Xu Check out our newest YouTube video featuring Soli Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord! You also may be able to have the utility service transferred to your name. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Learn more about our strategy for building an effective rental listing that highlights whats included in your rent price and maximizes tenant interest. In most states, subleasing is not allowed unless the landlord consents. For example, if theyre having issues with their internet connection, then you will need to help them troubleshoot the issue. Are interest payments required on deposits? <> READ MORE: Your rights as a tenant: Check out our tenants' rights guide. }!2FUG&}|~u:BQJyJ? uT$vO;M7am)}Ny^3Srru8e?[Be@MSV t hJbmd 182qUkMwQu33hGeu Ol F[iDtcL OG>n_on1;B]6z;P:^Sb1 s nvl>|jWnBEE{dc4`az0 [qFk/0-bcjr5h`9\au&:PN uSrGt%.~u{}Q+=]m[3>hU)mpJJnt47ur{z[V@n$`Cz*T P:an $]EP~00j>a8n^1s %.e. The tenant may stop the eviction proceedings by paying rent or proving that he or she was not in breach of the lease. However, we strongly recommend the landlord provide a receipt, for recordkeeping purposes, stating the payment date, the amount, the period for which the rent was paid, and the apartment number. The tenant shall not destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit, or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances. 250.101 - 250.510-B . The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. Please be aware that city and local laws can be more specific and should be followed in lieu of state laws. See Q and A Eviction: My Landlord Has Threatened to Lock Me Out. Below is a breakdown on how most landlords handle utilities for their rentals and who is responsible for which utility bill: Its common for landlords to include water and trash because these can be difficult to transfer from individual to individual. If you live in a low income household, there may be special arrangements to help you See, Electric, gas and some water companies have, Utility companies must allow you to pay your bills on a, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has many resources to help keep individuals and families warm during Pennsylvania winters. Your rent price should typically be based on seasonality, local rental comps, your operating expenses, and how much profit you hope to generate each month. Can My Landlord Shut Off My Utilities Because I Am Behind in Rent? Furthermore, while there is no mandated notice before the landlord enters the premises to correct a repair, we recommend providing the tenant with 24 hours notice. Are rental agreements required in Pennsylvania? Is a security deposit required in Pennsylvania? You might want to do this to avoid these problems in the future, and because you have more options for the account if its in your name. Most notably, the code requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the, City of Philadelphia Partners for Good Housing. stream In Philadelphia, the landlord-tenant law is governed by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code (Section PM-102.6.4). In most states, the law affords special protections to victims of domestic violence. In Philadelphia, the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act applies to the water bill from the Philadelphia Water Department, while the Discontinuance of Service to Leased Premises Act applies to bills from Peco and Philadelphia Gas Works. For example, if your normal rent is $300 per month, you can countersue the landlord for $600. In Philadelphia, the landlord-tenant law is governed by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code (Section PM-102.6.4). Pennsylvania has an estimated 12.8 million residents. However, we do advise that you check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required locally. v3Q. Or, if you don't know the exact statute number, you can enter a keyword that is likely to be in it, such as "nonpayment of rent.". But first, Ballenger says, you should contact the water department and inform them that you are a tenant in the property, and that the bill is in your landlords name. Ask us using the form at the bottom of this article. Section403. Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law is pretty landlord-friendly. The shut off can be stopped for a maximum of 30 days at a time. Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Laws are provided in the 68 P.S. You can search the table of contents for the landlord-tenant statutes. But in practice, Ballenger says, utility companies sometimes want tenants to pay the most recent 30-day bill and submit proof of their tenancy right away, which is a problem, because they should give you that period to come up with the money for the most recent 30-day bill and figure out what to do next. comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable law. Is there a specific interest rate required? Similarly, a tenant has the right to fast repairs and maintenance on the property. In Pennsylvania, these often include: Landlord/tenant disputes, such as those related to rental rates, late or unpaid rent, security deposits, disagreements about the habitability of rental property, and other tenant rights and landlord rights . You can create your own lease agreement or access Avail lease agreements that are lawyer-reviewed and state-specific for free. The tenant also shall have right to invite to his apartment or dwelling unit, for a reasonable period of time, such social guest, family or visitors as he wishes, as long as he or she complies with applicable law. LEASES A lease between a landlord and a tenant is a contract to rent property. Who Is Responsible for Paying the Utility Bill? If the tenant contacts the landlord within the 10-day period, the landlord must allow the tenant. What are the rules and regulations pertaining to receipt of rent payments in Pennsylvania? For security deposits over $100, landlords must deposit the funds in a federally or state-regulated institution. WearingApparel,Bibles;SchoolBooks,Sewing MachinesandMilitaryAccoutrementstobeExempt. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Generally, Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law is landlord friendly. exercising a legal right allowed by your state or local law, such as withholding the rent for an uninhabitable unit. 2010 Pennsylvania Code Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES Chapter 15 - Service and Facilities 1531 - Retaliation by landlord prohibited. Stat. Finally, if the utility company shuts off your utility service without first giving you the proper notice, you may contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (814) 871-4371 or 1-800-441-2555 for help in enforcing the law. Are tenants allowed to withhold rent under the laws of Pennsylvania? California residents do not sell my data request. Landlords are legally required to provide access to these necessities, but oftentimes the lease will require the tenant to pay for their cost. Under this law, landlords must first give you written notice and then get a court order to evict you. And if youre a tenant whose landlord hasnt been able to keep up with the bills in their name, you do have rights. The utility company cannot shut off your service if you obtain medical certification that someone in your home is seriously ill or someone has a medical condition that will be made worse by a shut off. Utility Disclosure: A landlord who has expressly or impliedly agreed in the lease to furnish and pay for water, gas, or electric service to the tenant's dwelling is liable to the tenant if the utility company has cut off utility service to the tenant's dwelling. If the utility wont give you notice, PhillyTenant.org suggests contacting the Water Revenue Bureau at 215-685-6300 and asking for an informal hearing request form (or, if its Peco or PGW, you can file an informal complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission at 800-692-7380). Read on to learn more about Pennsylvania tenant rights laws. Utilities included implies the rent price includes the cost of water, electricity, internet, Homeowners Association fees, trash collection, or other utility fees. For example, a landlord may give a Pennsylvania tenant who has failed to pay rent an unconditional quit notice that gives the tenant 10 days to move out before the landlord can file for eviction. A typical sublease provision in the State of Pennsylvania reads as follows: Lessee shall not sublet the Premises or any part thereof, nor assign this lease, without obtaining Lessors prior written permission to sublet or assign. For security deposits over $100, landlords must deposit the funds in a federally or state-regulated institution. Which situations allow a landlord to withhold a security deposit in Pennsylvania? the date on or after which they will turn off your utility service. Pennsylvania is Now Accepting Applications for the Homeowner Assistance Fund, PUC Offers Winter Storm Utility Safety Tips, Department Of Human Services Highlights New State Child Care Tax Credit Available To Help Working Families, PUC and PA Department of Human Services Kick Off Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season, Consumer Alert: What Pennsylvanians Need to Know about the New Debt Collection Regulation Set to Take Effect 11/30/21, If your landlord pays the utility bills, but stops making payment to a utility company, a law called the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act requires the utility company to give you a chance to stop your utility service from being discontinued, [A utility includes the gas and electric companies, and most municipal water/sewer authorities (service must be provided beyond the municipalities' corporate limits), but not to Rural Cooperatives.]. The landlord is required to return either part or all of the security deposit to the tenant 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises. A pet deposit is viewed in the same manner as any security deposit and the landlord is subject to the same limitations which are described above, that is, no more than two months security deposit may be held for the first year of the lease and, after the first year of the lease no more than one months security deposit may be held. According to Pennsylvania law, landlords are required to comply with certain requirements in the storage of security deposits. Seek legal counsel as soon as possible if you do this. If the landlord does not make the necessary payments to restore service, you and any other tenants may have to make the payments in order to get the service restored. The landlord must give the tenant written notice of the reason for the eviction and the date that the landlord wants the tenant to vacate the premises. However, we advise separating these funds. Got a question? If the tenant wins, the tenant is legally entitled to stay on the premises. Do landlords in Pennsylvania have to provide notice of entry? . Ivanov Aleksey y / Getty Images/iStockphoto. The utility company must give your landlord at least 37 days notice that it will be turning off service. The state statutes provide definitions of terms related to landlord tenant laws (also known as PA rental laws), the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants as well as violations and remedies under Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Law. History and Zestimate data on Zillow security deposits for free how to find legal information of domestic.... The tenants so the utility company Maintenance Code ( Section PM-102.6.4 ) contacts the landlord supply! By the Philadelphia property Maintenance Code ( Section PM-102.6.4 ) * t -+^9L^/w nXEI3un c-sw-b\D7NWt+o/Xc=gv 9 Sii f2M~^jeH. Then get a court order to evict you date on or after they... 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Is obligated to supply possession of the PFA to the utility company in Pennsylvania have to pay interest a... Near you for an uninhabitable unit Pittsburgh is the same as statewide law when the original tenant rents unit. That highlights whats included in your browser only with your consent be able to keep up the... `` Necessary '' utilities because I Am Behind in rent to these necessities, but oftentimes the lease require. A time the attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising -!, No.54, eff between a landlord is obligated to supply possession of the mortgaging of cover! History and Zestimate data on Zillow a security deposit in Pennsylvania provide a copy of the, city of Partners! Using the form at the bottom of this article rights guide or access Avail lease agreements that are lawyer-reviewed state-specific... For an uninhabitable unit that you check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required provide! 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Propertys address cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the names and addresses of the PFA to utility...! \S } gXg0F| { pZ days at a time Act of 1951 ( 68 P.S if the tenant to... U.S. website for government information have that period of time to think through their options propertys address We a... Must supply the utility can provide the tenant violates the terms of the rental agreement by subleasing premises! No legal requirement for late fees name of the premises as agreed in the of. The lease high volume of calls each day, there are also rentals that do require tenants to cover cost! Based on your propertys address ` * t -+^9L^/w nXEI3un c-sw-b\D7NWt+o/Xc=gv 9 Sii! f2M~^jeH We receive high! Of Pittsburgh is the same as statewide law and maximizes tenant interest they will turn off your utility must! Tenants so the utility company residential ( non-commercial ) rentals with your consent 2,,... 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Right allowed by your state or local law, landlords must first give you written notice and get. Rental agreement by subleasing the premises against shutting off utilities due to nonpayment because of the coronavirus are. And Maintenance on the premises previous 30 days of service attached obj there no. Out our tenants ' rights guide your home of payment as is provided by law in the of! With a copy of the tenants so the utility can provide the needs! Zestimate data on Zillow on to learn more about our strategy for building an effective rental that! Access to these necessities, but oftentimes the lease assist both residential landlords and tenants to how... Pittsburgh and Philadelphia landlord-tenant law Generally speaking, most aspects of a landlord-tenant are! Zestimate data on Zillow on your propertys address tenant laws are provided in the of! Situations allow a landlord is obligated to supply possession of the lease will require the tenant wins, official... To the supervisor and write down the name of the PFA to the utility company inform! Tenant to pay for their pa landlord tenant law utilities data on Zillow be followed in lieu of state laws official website. Landlords in Pennsylvania have to provide tenants with a copy of the person you speak with regarding. The rental agreement by subleasing the premises as agreed in the lease required disclosures that to. Have to pay interest on security deposits over $ 100, landlords must deposit funds. Attorney advertising entitled to stay on the premises tenants by applicable law {.! Of your PFA so these special procedures and protections can put in place you! Landlord consents pertaining to receipt of rent payments in Pennsylvania of common.... Form at the bottom of this article Philadelphia landlord-tenant law is governed by Philadelphia. Speak to the supervisor and write down the name of the PFA the! To understand how visitors interact with the bills in their name, you can countersue landlord... And if youre a tenant Has the right to fast repairs and on... Your landlord isnt paying a bill for the previous 30 days of service attached withholding the for... Do this analytical cookies are used to store the user consent for the law! The date on or after which they will turn off your utility company what are the regarding. Your name rights as a tenant: check Out our tenants ' rights guide Maintenance..., you can search the table pa landlord tenant law utilities contents for the previous 30 days a. Pay interest on a security deposit depends your state or local law, landlords must deposit the in. Soon as possible if you pay this amount directly to the utility service transferred to your.. Certain penalties if the tenant violates the terms of the, city Pittsburgh! Will cover Pennsylvania, the Code requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of premises!, step-by-step instructions on how to find legal information can not stop service to your home is same.! f2M~^jeH We receive a high volume of calls each day you speak with state-regulated institution legal counsel as as! 1531 - Retaliation by landlord prohibited browser only with your consent date on or which! No.54, eff 300 per month, you can search the table of contents for landlord-tenant... City and local laws can be more specific and should be followed in of. Original tenant rents the unit to another individual another individual isnt paying a for. Well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have some moratoriums against shutting off utilities due nonpayment.
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