The utility company is only required to provide you with one payment agreement for the same debt. * Once application is approved, the security deposit equal to one month's rent is due within 3 days, this "holds" the . 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Nick Vadala is a staff writer for the Inquirer, writing about arts, travel, food and drink, and civics. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Pennsylvania Required Landlord Disclosures, Pennsylvania Security Deposit Limits and Deadlines, Filing a Security Deposit Lawsuit in Pennsylvania Justice Court, Pennsylvania Landlord's Guide to Security Deposit Disputes in Justice Court, Pennsylvania Termination for Nonpayment of Rent, and Other Rent Rules, Pennsylvania Tenant Rights to Withhold Rent or "Repair and Deduct", State Laws on Unconditional Quit Terminations, State Laws on Termination for Violation of Lease, Pennsylvania State Laws Prohibiting Landlord Retaliation, abandoned property left behind by tenants, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, tenant protections against landlord retaliation for tenant exercising a legal right, such as complaining about an unsafe living condition (see, fair housing rights (discrimination is also prohibited by federal and, often, local lawsee the. Landlords are required to change the locks before a new tenant moves in. If the landlord responds to this by suing you in Magisterial District Judge court for nonpayment of rent, you have the right to file a countersuit with the Magisterial District Judge for two months rent payments. Can My Landlord Retaliate Against Me for Asserting My Rights Regarding Utilities? Under the implied warranty of habitability law, the tenants obligation to pay rent and the landlords obligation to maintain habitable (safe, sanitary and fit) premises depend upon each other. While there arent any restrictions on charging the tenant with late fees, most landlords do charge late fees, which should be reasonable under the circumstances. Absent a rental agreement, the landlord is required to provide the tenant with at least 15 days notice of any changes to the lease. An attempt to contact you or an adult in your household personally at least 3 days before the, An attempt to contact you or an adult in your household at the time of the shut-off, During December to March, if the company has not made personal contact prior to termination, it must post a notice in an obvious place at your house saying your utilities will be shut off and they must give you at least 48 hours notice, Contact the utility company at the phone number on the notice. Alternatively, a landlord may also be able to post the tenant's deposit as a bond. Easily collect rent payments and other rental fees from tenants with a rent collection app. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. What if my Landlord is Responsible for Paying the Utility Bills? Furthermore, while there is no mandated notice before the landlord enters the premises to correct a repair, The rental term is over and the tenant hasnt moved out, The tenant has breached some provision of the rental agreement. For details, see Pennsylvania Required Landlord Disclosures. Therefore, you should consult an attorney before taking or refraining from any action based on the information in this pamphlet. For specifics, see Pennsylvania Tenant Rights to Withhold Rent or "Repair and Deduct". For details, see Pennsylvania Required Landlord Disclosures. However, the law does change, sometimes quickly and unexpectedly. Federal law requires landlords to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. No matter who is responsible to pay for the utilities, a utility company cannot cut off service without the following: After a 10-day notice has been given to a tenant by a utility company, the company has 60 days to turn off the tenants utility without another 10-day notice. Copyright Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania 2023. Manage Your Rentals With Landlord Software. Is|-W0o&|?r#="4[;k evidence and priority of payment as is provided by law in the case of the mortgaging of . Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. All applicants and occupants 18 and over will be run through the PA Megan's Law database and criminal history will be checked. Typical duties of the landlord. % Legal issues related to real estate and the landlord/tenant relationship come in a variety of forms. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". But if they experience issues with their utilities, such as no hot water, then you will need to assist with the issue to get it resolved in a timely manner. 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. If you need legal assistance, consult a private attorney or call your local Legal Aid office. This guide will cover Pennsylvania, as well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia landlord-tenant law. The utility company should not allow the tenant to be billed for the service until it is confirmed that the wiring has been corrected. If the tenant contacts the landlord within the 10-day period, the landlord must allow the tenant a total of thirty days (the first ten plus twenty more) to get the items. Finally, check USA.gov, the official U.S. website for government information. Like most other contracts, it can be oral or in writing. @` u08#T+z"w(p&]%0>JoNB96@} !7JH sBpY/>:Pbc. If you and your utility company cannot agree, call the Public Utility Commission (PUC) at. In Pennsylvania, the landlord may evict the tenant for the following reasons: The landlord-tenant act of 1951highlights the timeline for eviction proceedings. You still have to make payment arrangements on any undisputed utility bills. Reasonable time is usually interpreted as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excluded. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. First, attempt to have the landlord make the necessary payments immediately to restore your service. After you tell the utility about this medical condition, you will need to get a doctor or nurse practitioner to call or send a statement to the utility company confirming the medical condition. If a landlord chooses to collect a security deposit, he or she may only charge the tenant a security deposit up to a certain amount. check your local jurisdiction for rental license laws in case it is required locally. qO!O5nVd W!AHf O(?Vrar(riiZ`>u"qH B qm_o Our state-specific rental agreements include all the necessary notices and disclosures based on your propertys address. Get Legal Help from the your local legal aid office from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. If the tenant failed to make a timely payment and the utility company charged a late fee to the landlord, then the landlord can impose that late fee on the tenant, but no additional amount. Discontinuance of Service to Leased Premises Act. 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. Ask to set up a payment agreement. A Landlord is obligated to supply possession of the premises as agreed in the lease. The landlord must notify the tenant of the deductions within 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises. 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. If you didnt receive a 30-day shutoff notice, you can still pay the water bill and deduct the costs from your rent to get the service turned back on. WearingApparel,Bibles;SchoolBooks,Sewing MachinesandMilitaryAccoutrementstobeExempt. The landlord is required to return either part or all of the security deposit to the tenant. After you contact the utility, your service should be restored, and you should be sent the 30-day notice. . exercising a legal right allowed by your state or local law, such as withholding the rent for an uninhabitable unit. The tenant shall not destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit, or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances. Section401. Pennsylvania home sellers must, by law, advise potential buyers of the property about known material defects that are not readily observable, including structural and other problems, before the sale is completed, including, but not limited to mold. Deciding who pays for utilities during the lease term can be stressful, but certain factors can help you make a decision. 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 landlords nonpayment of the utility bill. a telephone number at the utility company where you may call for an explanation of your rights. A landlord who wants you to leave can evict you under the terms of the lease or rental agreement (for example, if you fail to pay rent), following proper state rules and procedures. 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 landlord is not required to collect a security deposit from the tenant. If the tenant contacts the landlord within the 10-day period, the landlord must allow the tenant. The notice must be given in writing and must state the nature of the repair. Is a security deposit required in Pennsylvania? There are no provisions regarding rent control in Pennsylvania. 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. Generally, Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law is landlord friendly. 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. State law also says that you can deduct payments you make on the water bill from your rent. The landlord must be given notice of defects and a reasonable opportunity to make repairs, but he does not have to promise to repair before the tenant withholds rent. But remember, as a tenant, you do have some rights. In Philadelphia, the landlord-tenant law is governed by the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code (Section PM-102.6.4). Increase your rent price and bundle utilities and rent. Tenants must refrain from any criminal or illegal use of the property, and they should report any maintenance, health, or safety issues to the landlord . Generally, Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law is landlord friendly. In most states, the law affords special protections to victims of domestic violence. What are the rules and regulations pertaining to receipt of rent payments in Pennsylvania? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 60 days) . . Landlords are prohibited from harassing or retaliating against tenants who exercise their rights. On the other hand, if your rent price is considered affordable, then you can see how much the total rent price would be with utilities included. Tenant Rights: Security Deposits, Lease Terminations, and More. Do late fees need to be in the written rental agreement? During the second and subsequent years of the lease or during any renewal of the original lease, the security deposit to be charged may not exceed one months rent. : 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 landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. Landlords are legally required to provide access to these necessities, but oftentimes the lease will require the tenant to pay for their cost. Create an account to make a lease agreement for your rental and collect rental fees from tenants. Click here for a standard sublease template in Pennsylvania. For security deposits over $100, landlords must deposit the funds in a federally or state-regulated institution. 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