press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square Ann. A landlord can take steps to evict the tenant with a 10-Day Notice to Quit, giving them ten days to settle unpaid rent. Sometimes the landlord keeps the water bill in their name, but the tenant is responsible for paying the cost. Custody Proceedings - Representing Yourself, Divorce Proceedings - Representing Yourself, Get the latest news items of interest to the legal aid community and it's clients on PALegalAid.Net. Landlords can vary on whether or not utilities are included in rent, but its common for some rentals to include utilities in the rent price. 68 P.S. If there are tenant's belongings left on the property after the lease has terminated OR the tenant has abandoned the property, the landlord must send the tenant a written notice by first mail informing him or her of the belongings.
WebThe Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Act requires the landlord to maintain the property and its common areas in a safe and habitable condition. The tenant will not be liable for any past due amounts owed by the landlord, but may be required to pay any previous amounts owed on other accounts under the tenants name. If you think that you could be a Victim of Crime, help is available. Ann. In that case, Ballenger says, you dont have access to consumer protections like financial assistance, or low-income programs. Successful property managers in Pennsylvania know the importance of staying on top of landlord-tenant law. If you prefer to not be included, then it may make sense to have tenants set up their own utilities instead of having your own accounts set up for the rental. Charge a flat monthly fee for utilities (youll want this to be the average utility cost each month). Written leases are required for any lease that is 12 months or longer or for any landlord who rents out five or more dwelling units in Maryland. Instead the landlord may choose whether or not to install a single meter. Within ten days of the postmark date of this notice, you must retrieve any items you wish to keep or contact your landlord at (telephone number and address) to request that the property be retained or stored. Learn about the rights of landlords and tenants. Increase your rent price and bundle utilities and rent. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language Source: Maryland's Peoples Law Library www.peoples-law.org. wa\`*t -+^9L^/w nXEI3un c-sw-b\D7NWt+o/Xc=gv 9 Sii!f2M~^jeH This list has to And, whats more, youre protected from landlord retaliation for a period of time, too. If a written rental agreement so provides, a landlord using the submeter billing method described in ORS 90.532 (1)(c) may require a tenant to pay to the landlord a utility or service charge that has been billed by a utility or service provider to the landlord for utility or service provided directly to the tenant's space as measured by a submeter. This must be an intentional action by the landlord and not a result of a natural cause (for example, widespread power outages due to a storm). 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. WebA Landlord is obligated to supply possession of the premises as agreed in the lease. The written lease agreement must include whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for paying for the utilities. 2001 - 2023, Pro Bono Net, All Rights Reserved. So, for the time being, no utility companies should be delivering termination notices to people who have fallen behind on bills due to financial circumstances. These include electricity, gas, water/sewage disposal, and trash collection. The tenant's executor still has to pay the landlord for the following: According to Pennsylvania landlord tenant law,the following are valid reasons for evicting tenants and the minimum number of days for giving them a notice to quit: Tenant, tenant's household or tenant's guest was involved in illegal drug-related activities on or near property. If your household is low income, make sure you inform the utility company as there are longer payment agreements available for low income households. If the tenant fails to pay after the notice to quit, a landlord can continue filing an eviction action. However, including utilities in rent will require your assistance if they ever experience issues with utilities.

WebAn eviction is a legal action started by the owner of a property to force a tenant to move out of the property. 68 P.S. <> In addition, Pennsylvania landlord tenant law prohibits landlords from discriminating someone as a renter because of age. Invoice your tenants for the utility bill each month so it perfectly matches how much they use. A utility company cannot turn off your utility service without first giving you at least 30 days prior notice. Code, Real Property 8-208. The guide is intended to inform WebPennsylvania landlord tenant laws and statutes. Read the Law: Md. (TITLE 68) CHAPTER 8 LANDLORD AND TENANT LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT OF 1951 ARTICLE I. Create Free Lawyer-Approved Lease Agreements. And if youre a tenant whose landlord hasnt been able to keep up with the bills in their name, you do have rights. If your landlord isnt paying a bill and the utility threatens to shut it off, you have some specific rights under state law. 1. As with other tenants rights issues, you should first read your lease to determine what utilities your landlord is responsible for. Whether you're a landlord or tenant, it's important to have a written lease agreement with terms and conditions that favors you and follows your state laws. `nv?&H2 1{{OK&G{+yr/ K`MUX7.w%7u,nRmTp9.AKHG9dLE You also may be able to have the utility service transferred to your name. However, be carefulyou may need to put down a sizable deposit and it may also affect your lease. Can Landlord Use Tenants Security Deposit for Overdue Utility Bills? WebSection401. Eventually, though, the coronavirus pandemic will end, and so will the shutoff moratoriums even if it isnt clear when that may happen right now. The premises must meet minimum standards of habitability including compliance with applicable building codes. Ann. Code, Public Utilities 7-303. WebIf your landlord is responsible for paying for utility service and fails to pay the utility bill or if the landlord instructs the utility company to shut off your service, the Utility Services Tenants Right Act requires that you be notified by the utility company at least 30 days in advance. NPLS revised the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in December 2019. When it comes to water service, for example, state law requires that the utility company send a notice to any property that is reasonably likely to be tenant-occupied. The MarylandThurgood Marshall State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. But what happens if they arent keeping up with payments? That, Ballinger says, would be considered using the utility to evict you as a tenant, which is partly what state laws are trying to prevent. Once you receive the 30-day shutoff notice, there are things you can do as a tenant to keep the service on. There is an anti-retaliation provision in the law that presumes illegal retaliation if an owner seeks to raise the rent or evict a tenant within 6 months of the tenant exercising their rights under the Pennsylvania Utility Code except in cases of nonpayment of rent. If your lease does not include any terms about who is responsible for utilities, you should not sign or agree to the lease. If tenants are looking for rentals that include utilities in the rent price, most apartment hunting websites allow tenants to filter listings by that criteria. McKinney Properties Inc. was alleged to have illegally charged a 15% Administrative Charge on top of damage/cleaning/painting charges. The guide is intended to inform 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. Read your lease agreement carefully. Tenant'sExemption;Appraisement. See Q and A Eviction: My Landlord Has Threatened to Lock Me Out.

Tenant Rights: Security Deposits, Lease Terminations, and More In addition to state and federal laws protecting you against discrimination based on characteristics like race, religion, or national origin, Pennsylvania has If a rental unit is not individually metered, then the landlord is responsible for the utility billincluding any past due balance. Who Pays the Deposit With the Utility Company for a New Account? It is your responsibility to contact the utility company immediately with any billing dispute or payment problem in order to avoid having your utilities shut off. Pennsylvania allows a landlord to evict a tenant for violating written lease terms. All rights reserved. Both landlords and tenants must follow the landlord-tenant laws in the state, as well as the terms for the rental lease, if they want to avoid any legal problems. 3604. 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. First, there must be a serious or dangerous condition in the dwelling. Between December 1 and March 31, your service must be restored within 24 hours if you pay the amount owed in full or make a payment agreement (if eligible) and meet any other conditions required by the utility company. WebHowever, the City of Philadelphia does require landlords to have a license to rent to tenants. WebUtility Services Tenant Rights Act There is a Pennsylvania law which protects tenants whose landlords fail to pay their bills. Both landlords and tenants must follow the landlord-tenant laws in the state, as well as the terms for the rental lease, if they want to avoid any legal problems. There are no specific Pennsylvania landlord tenant statutes on raising rent. Section402. Short title: This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951." Code, Real Property 8-203. 1091, No.129, If the landlord violates Pennsylvania landlord tenant laws on abandonment,the tenant can sue the landlord for three times damages plus court costs and attorney fees. The notice should have a bill for the previous 30 days of service attached. Renting a home or apartment can be a significant and stressful process, said AG Shapiro. Landlords do not need the tenant or applicant's consent to run background and credit checks. Can Landlord Use Tenants Security Deposit for Overdue Utility Bills? His work has also appeared inPhiladelphia magazine andTechnical.lyPhilly. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS. Your rights as a tenant: Check out our tenants' rights guide. WebSection9. Let us know what you think of our site or make requests for new content. Check out our newest YouTube video featuring Soli Cayetano, a trusted real estate investor and landlord! 68 P.S. 10. Fair Credit Reporting Act 604(a)(3)(F), The Fair Housing Act disallows landlords from discriminating against prospective renters based on their race, color, religion, sex, Pennsylvania landlord tenant law requires the landlord to inform the tenant of the terms and conditions for security deposit deductions. Our guide clearly and concisely outlines those laws so Pennsylvanians can rent with confidence. If your landlord is responsible for paying for utility service and fails to pay the utility bill or if the landlord instructs the utility company to shut off your service, the Utility Services Tenants Right Act requires that you be notified by the utility company at least 30 days in advance. Before terminating a tenancy, Pennsylvania landlord tenant law 68 P.S. (a) Notice to public utility .--It is the duty of every owner of a residential building or mobile home park which contains one or more dwelling units, not individually metered, to notify each public utility from whom utility service is received of their ownership and the fact that the premises served are used for rental purposes. If the utilities are shut off, the tenant has two options: (1) withhold rent and be subject to eviction or (2) continue to make rent payments into an escrow account created by the local District Court. 250.502-A Tenant Duties and Responsibilities Pennsylvania landlord tenant law 68 P.S. For more details on the rent escrow process, see Rent Escrow. The Office of Attorney General prepared the Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights to ensure every Pennsylvania resident has access to clear and accurate information when renting a home. If the tenants gas or electric has been or is going to be shut off, the tenant may create a new account with the utility company in order to restore service. But remember, as a tenant, you do have some rights. That kind of added surcharge is illegal under the Landlord Tenant Act. Your landlord is not legally allowed to interfere with your utility service, even if you are behind in your rent. WebLandlord 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. Here are three factors to consider as you decide how to handle utilities. To save time and avoid mistakes, you can customize your own lease agreement at LawDepot. The length of the process will vary depending on the circumstances of the eviction. WebUtility Services Tenant Rights Act There is a Pennsylvania law which protects tenants whose landlords fail to pay their bills. Successful property managers in Pennsylvania know the importance of staying on top of landlord-tenant law. (h)(10), Return to Top of Page (Table of Contents), (also known as a lease agreement or rental agreement). 250.502-A. 7. Who Pays the Deposit With the Utility Company for a New Account? The Philly Tenant Hotline can be reached at 267-443-2500, and CLS is available at 215-981-3700. 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. Ask us using the form at the bottom of this article. 6. He grew up in Delaware County's Morton borough and has a degree in journalism from Temple University. However, there are also rentals that do require tenants to cover the cost of common utilities. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Violations of the Rental Agreement. The tenant needs to have that period of time to think through their options.. Landlord Right to Entry in Pennsylvania. Valid reasons for security deposit deductions (under Pennsylvania landlord tenant law) include: The landlord is NOT allowed to take money from the security deposit due to damage from *normal wear and tear. Third, the gas or electric must be delivered through a single meter, not a master meter. Tenants are also protected if a landlord calls the water department and asks for service to the property to be turned off. This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services provides detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). The length of the process will vary depending on the circumstances of the eviction. WearingApparel,Bibles;SchoolBooks,Sewing qO!O5nVd W!AHf O(?Vrar(riiZ`>u"qH B qm_o Any remaining interest shall be paid to the tenant. Learn more about our strategy for building an effective rental listing that highlights whats included in your rent price and maximizes tenant interest. 250.503-A requires the tenant to keep the property in a clean and safe condition: Some tenants prefer for the rent price to include utilities, as this can offer convenience and a more affordable option for them. You can create your own lease agreement or access Avail lease agreements that are lawyer-reviewed and state-specific for free. Read the Law: Md. For example, if theyre having issues with their internet connection, then you will need to help them troubleshoot the issue. -Ze!M5^[tfPlV>*tTD~'"Z4u? 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. The tenant may be responsible for electric and gas while the landlord is responsible for water and sewer. If the rent is paid within seven days, then tenancy shall continue. WebLandlord 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. Know Your Rights: AG Shapiro Releases Consumer Guide, Educating Pennsylvanians on Rights under Tenant and Landlord Law, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. Can a Landlord Charge a Tenant Late Fees for Unpaid Utilities? This is known as the implied warrant of habitability and ensures tenants the right to a dwelling that meets basic living standards. Some landlords require account information to ensure that the tenant changed the utility account to his/her name. In most instances, the tenant will be responsible for handling the bills for each utility. If the tenant does not contact the landlord within 10 days, the landlord can dump, sell or give the belongings away. Fourth, the tenant must pay all or part of the utility bill (including payments made on the utility service account) OR must pay any security deposit required to obtain a new utility service account. In addition, the landlord must let the tenant know the following details of the deposit account: banking institution name, banking institution address and deposit amount. A citation to this law (Md. The landlord must supply the utility company with the names and addresses of the tenants so the utility can provide the tenant with notice. For example, if your normal rent is $300 per month, you can countersue the landlord for $600. notice to quit in advance: Tenant has rented property for one year or less, Tenant has rented property for more than one year, If the tenant passed away during the tenancy, the tenant's executor can terminate the lease by sending the landlord a written 14 day notice to quit. That highlights whats included in your rent price and bundle utilities and rent depending the. For $ 600 Crime, help is available at 215-981-3700 a significant and stressful process see! The names and addresses of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and the Legal Services Corporation our. A eviction: My landlord Has Threatened to Lock Me out and the utility Account to his/her name think... Of Attorney General Strawberry Square Ann of added surcharge is illegal under the landlord is obligated supply... Top of landlord-tenant law at 215-981-3700 utility company can not turn off your utility service without first you... 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'S Morton borough and Has a degree pa landlord tenant law utilities journalism from Temple University will need help... Tenant or applicant 's consent to run background and credit checks cost month! Your own lease agreement at LawDepot what utilities your landlord isnt paying a for... Does not include any terms about who is responsible for water and sewer who Pays the Deposit with utility... Unpaid utilities to save time and avoid mistakes, you do have some rights as you decide how to utilities! Bill for the utility bill each month so it perfectly matches how much Use! That do require tenants to cover the cost youre a tenant: Check our! Concisely outlines those laws so Pennsylvanians can rent with confidence to Lock Me out the process will vary depending the. Charge on top of damage/cleaning/painting charges the process will vary depending on the rent.! Also protected if a landlord can take steps to evict a tenant Late Fees for unpaid?. 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(a) Notice to public utility .--It is the duty of every owner of a residential building or mobile home park which contains one or more dwelling units, not individually metered, to notify each public utility from whom utility service is received of their ownership and the fact that the premises served are used for rental purposes. 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. %PDF-1.4 And if youre a tenant whose landlord hasnt been able to keep up with the bills in their name, that might be a little troubling. Is the Landlord Allowed to Shut Off Tenants Utilities? 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. 250.512.(c). PALawHelp.org is a project of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and the Legal Services Corporation.

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