Are interest payments required on deposits? These references were compiled from the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and various online sources to serve as a reference and for people wanting to learn about Pennsylvania landlord-tenant laws, Pennsylvania eviction laws, and Pennsylvania renters' rights. Increase your rent price and bundle utilities and rent. Mg*?S~# wD6Zdr ^mtRW8-@[q(`79rbL@4anU$g>GN{J 1 > h+F#OGAM&LiS}t]|(?n. 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. 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. For example, if theyre having issues with their internet connection, then you will need to help them troubleshoot the issue. is for nonpayment of rent not withheld under section 1529 or lawfully withheld under any other right that the tenant may have by law. This can simplify things for both landlords and tenants. 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 . And check out our tips to make your rental lease even better. While youre legally required to provide access to heat and hot water, it may be the tenants responsibility to set it up and pay for it. If the landlord tries to evict you without following the Landlord/Tenant Act, by doing something such as changing the locks or shutting off your utilities, you should contact the Office of Consumer Protection for assistance at (814) 871-4371 or 1-800-441-2555. See mold pamphlet here. -Ze!M5^[tfPlV>*tTD~'"Z4u? Is a security deposit required in Pennsylvania? If a rental unit is not individually metered, then the landlord is responsible for the utility billincluding any past due balance. First, the landlord must send a notice to the tenant stating that personal property has been left behind with contact information for the landlord. The tenant is not the utility customer and they do not qualify for utility projection such as payment arrangements, Customer Assistance Program, or residential energy efficiency and conservation programs. 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. You also may be able to have the utility service transferred to your name. Also, your local public library or office of the city attorney, mayor, or city or county manager can provide information on local ordinances that affect landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania. 60 days) . What are the rules regarding rent payments in Pennsylvania? Check out our newest YouTube video featuring Soli Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord! ?~.mnr ASHxfF"&-DzK&!s.lC|f\w_V18V)RZ)J0H))H{fnLP3J@)CzJ"+n0r~@$oB s)uC]q{o1Q Assist lawyers by researching . 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 . Track rental income and expenses in one place Lease Clauses on Utilities. Nick Vadala is a staff writer for the Inquirer, writing about arts, travel, food and drink, and civics. You may be required to provide a copy of the PFA to the utility company. Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law allows tenants the right to have visitors as long as they continue to observe their other obligations as a tenant. But remember, as a tenant, you do have some rights. While the landlord is required to return the tenants security deposit, the landlord may withhold all or a portion of a tenants security deposit from the tenant for damage in excess of normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, or breach of lease. For example: A tenant has the right to adequate warning before a landlord visits the property or sends someone to the property for repairs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Alternatively, a landlord may also be able to post the tenant's deposit as a bond. ; Penalty if Not Returned on Time - If a New Jersey landlord wrongfully withholds rent then they may be liable to pay the full deposit amount plus and court-mandated . Legal issues related to real estate and the landlord/tenant relationship come in a variety of forms. Once the utilities have been shut off, the situation may become more complicated. Lease conditions can include keeping the unit clean, not damaging the unit or property, and not disrupting the quiet enjoyment of other tenants in the building. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Tenants are protected through the Public Utility Code for the resale, but other protections may be under the landlord/tenant law. They are also liable if the utility company has given written notice to the tenant that such utility service is about to be cut off because of the landlord's nonpayment of the utility bill. For details, see Pennsylvania Required Landlord Disclosures. 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. First and foremost, you can take over monthly payments going forward, and you do not need to assume the back bill of your landlord. Both laws protect people in Pennsylvania who use service animals, and tenants are entitled to rely on whichever law gives them the most protections. Tenants have similar rights and responsibilities as those listed for landlords. Landlords are prohibited from harassing or retaliating against tenants who exercise their rights. If a mobile home is abandoned by the tenant(s) for a period of thirty days or more, the owner of the mobile home park or other person or persons responsible for the operation of the park may: Enter the mobile home and secure any appliances, furnishings, materials, supplies or other personal property therein and disconnect the mobile home from any utilities, Move the mobile home to a storage area within the mobile home park or to another location, Assess removal charges and storage charges against the former mobile home residents. Pennsylvania tenants are legally entitled to a rental that meets basic structural, health, and safety standards. What are the rental agreement notice requirements in Pennsylvania? Tenants know exactly how much they need to budget each month, and landlords don't have to track multiple charges when billing the monthly rent. 5 0 obj 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. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. If you need legal advice in the event that your landlord isnt paying bills for which they are responsible, Ballenger suggests reaching out for help. Tenant'sExemption;Appraisement. Invoice your tenants for the utility bill each month so it perfectly matches how much they use. If there are three units in a building, then there must be three separate meters for each of the apartments and a separate meter for the common areas. Termination of utility services to the mobile home. See Utility Shut-Offs. stream If you have not paid, or if you are behind in paying, your utility bills, the utility company can shut off the service to your rental property after giving proper notice. PALawHelp.org is a project of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and the Legal Services Corporation. What happens if your landlord doesn't pay the water bill? The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. <> . Pennsylvania Security Deposit Limit and Return Fair housing (housing discrimination) information is included throughout the entire handbook. stream You may also be able to apply to have future bills issued in your name. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for the landlord to retaliate against a tenant who has exercised a legal right, including, complaining to a government agency, such as a building or health inspector, about unsafe or illegal living conditions assembling and presenting your views collectivelyfor example, by joining or organizing a tenant union, or. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Visit PAVictimsHelp.orgfor more 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. Finally, check USA.gov, the official U.S. website for government information. Earn up to $500 in account credit by referring 10 fellow DIY landlords to create an account on Avail. The U.S. Code is the starting place for most federal statutory research. This may be considered an illegal attempt to evict you without going through proper legal procedures and if this happens or if the landlord threatens this, you should consult an attorney or call legal aid. It is produced in cooperation with Pro Bono Net and legal aid organizations, bar associations, community organizations and government agencies throughout Pennsylvania and the United States. To do so, they must first terminate the tenancy by giving proper notice to move out. The utility company has to notify you of the proposed termination within seven (7) days of the termination notice to the landlord. There is a Pennsylvania law which protects tenants whose landlords fail to pay their bills. 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. Landlord Tenant Rights If payment has been accepted for rent (and/or a written or oral lease exists), a renter has inherent rights under landlord tenant law. 2001 - 2023, Pro Bono Net, All Rights Reserved. This nontechnical book gives easy-to-use, step-by-step instructions on how to find legal information. Nolo's Laws and Legal Research page includes links to state and federal laws, explains how to research and understand statutes, and provides advice on finding local ordinances and court cases, including Supreme Court cases. Check out our newest YouTube video featuring Soli Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord! Can My Landlord Shut Off My Utilities Because I Am Behind in Rent? % Contact your local legal services for further assistance. If you receive notice that your utilities will be shut off, you need to act quickly to protect your rights. HiUpuT. Does Pennsylvania have a law regarding grace periods? Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law. Best practice differs based on location and circumstance. Tenants who occupy the rental unit for two or more years are entitled to interest paid on the security deposit beginning on the 25th month of occupancy. What if my Landlord is Responsible for Paying the Utility Bills? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. See Q and A Eviction: My Landlord Has Threatened to Lock Me Out. A landlord cannot, however, cut off your utilities as a way to force you out. <> 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. Any sublet that does not comply with the lease clause will constitute a breach of lease and could potentially result in eviction. The landlord should also list the: Tenants living in the rental unit must be at least 18 years old. If you do not believe a utility is providing a payment term you can report them to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) at, Show that you paid your bill or show that there is a disagreement (dispute) about your bill. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A utility company cannot turn off your utility service without first giving you at least 30 days prior notice. ; Time Limit for Returns - 30 days, 15 days if leaving because of domestic violence, 5 days if forcibly evicted due to natural disaster. 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. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Pennsylvania will get you started. `l>LYXPG4G&Aj>cSK*,10y6w4l5H"sE78k]5OLjCj%-g8)Q^&GdgN. q ~ xP$\:mj'2; gc7X vp25Ot0O`{@\1 ]YM~U=t^a#t4FR)bo&FsAp.3Ux~~kEipoTO.)X_C%m )23"R@g1DU7id'! (the first ten plus twenty more) to get the items. You can also sign your own ready-to-sign lease agreements with Avail at no additional cost to either party. After you contact the utility, your service should be restored, and you should be sent the 30-day notice. 2010 Pennsylvania Code Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES Chapter 15 - Service and Facilities 1531 - Retaliation by landlord prohibited. First, the landlord must send a notice to the tenant stating that personal property has been left behind with contact information for the landlord. If the utility company turned off service without prior notice, it has broken the law. In Pennsylvania, tenants are allowed to withhold rent when a Government agency or department certifies that the premises are uninhabitable. Note that these rights cannot be taken away even if the lease says you have given away these rights. Get next-day payments with Fastpay Click here for a standard sublease template in Pennsylvania. The tenant may be responsible for electric and gas while the landlord is responsible for water and sewer. 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 can cause issues for some tenants especially if you are low-income. One reason: Unlike other utilities, if the water bill doesnt get paid, the city can place a lien on the property, so landlords may prefer to keep the bill in their name in case the tenants dont pay. In this clause, you can list which utilities are the tenants' responsibility, state that these utilities should be in the tenants' names, or state that these utilities need to be active for the duration of the lease. Call your utility company to inform them of your PFA so these special procedures and protections can put in place for you. For details, see Pennsylvania Termination for Nonpayment of Rent, and Other Rent Rules. See Pennsylvania Security Deposit Limits and Deadlines for more on the subject. This article is part of our guide to tenants rights in Philadelphia. Like most other contracts, it can be oral or in writing. In Pennsylvania, landlords are allowed to commingle the tenants security deposit with any of the landlords personal assets. Standard Limit/Maximum Amount - 1.5 months' rent. If youve been renting a home or apartment for any amount of time, you know that its not uncommon for your landlord to have some utility bills in their name. The Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act does not allow for a separate pet deposit (aside from a security deposit). Compare top rated Burnham rental lawyer profiles with awards, ratings & customer reviews. 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