Rent increases in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no statute written specifically for rent increases. The Attorney General's guide says a periodic tenancy renews automatically unless the landlord or tenant gives at least 15 days' notice before the current month or year ends. The statute requires the notice to be in writing. (68 P.S. § 250.501(a)–(b); PA Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights)

No separate rent-increase rule: the periods below are the notice to end a periodic tenancy.

• The notice must be in writing.
• The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Pennsylvania rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12% or a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Tuesday, December 1, 2026

No Pennsylvania statute addresses it. The Attorney General's guide says lease terms such as the amount of rent generally can't be changed until the lease is renewed, unless both parties agree in writing. The lease should say whether rent can be raised during the lease. (PA Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights)

No Pennsylvania statute expressly allows or bars local rent control. The Attorney General's tenant guide lists no rent limits.

• Philadelphia: Leases under one year, including month-to-month, can be ended or not renewed only for good cause. One good cause is the tenant refusing a reasonable rent increase. The landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice by hand delivery or first-class mail with proof of mailing. Raising rent in retaliation is also banned.

No general Pennsylvania statute bars retaliatory rent increases, according to the Attorney General. Narrow state rules protect tenants who join a tenants' organization (68 P.S. § 250.205) or pay a utility to restore service (68 P.S. § 399.11). Local ordinances, such as Philadelphia's, may ban retaliation. (PA Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (Retaliation))

• The 15-day period is the notice to quit for a lease of one year or less or an indeterminate term. For a lease of more than one year it is 30 days (68 P.S. § 250.501(b)). Mobile-home parks follow different periods.
• No statewide limit on the amount or frequency of rent increases.

Security deposit

Up to 2 months' rent during the first year of a lease; up to 1 month's rent in the second and later years or on renewal. After 5 years in the unit, a rent increase cannot require a larger deposit. Return deadline: 30 days (see details).

Tenant's notice to move out

15 days, ending with a rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

10 days (notice to vacate, no right to pay)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

Personally on the tenant, by leaving it at the principal building on the premises, or by posting it conspicuously on the leased premises (§ 501(f)).

Notice for other lease violations

15 days (notice to vacate, no right to fix)

Small claims court limit

$12,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: A reasonable time. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: allowed with limits.

Deposit kept wrongly

A landlord who does not pay the balance within 30 days owes double the amount by which the deposit (plus unpaid interest) exceeds actual damages (§ 512(c)).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Military service (state law)

• PA Office of Attorney General: Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Art. V (Pa. General Assembly) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• City of Philadelphia: Unfair rental practices Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.