Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Bloomsburg is a borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, home to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a substantial renter population drawn by the university community. As a college town, many tenants are students or young professionals navigating their first rental agreements, making awareness of tenant rights especially important. Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101–250.602) is the primary framework governing the landlord-tenant relationship in Bloomsburg.
Renters in Bloomsburg most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, lease termination procedures, eviction timelines, and their rights when a landlord fails to make repairs. Because Pennsylvania does not require landlords to cite a reason for non-renewal of a lease (outside of Philadelphia), understanding lease terms and notice requirements is critical for Bloomsburg tenants. There are no local ordinances in Bloomsburg that add protections beyond state law.
This page provides general legal information about tenant rights in Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania. It is not legal advice. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as MidPenn Legal Services.
Bloomsburg has no rent control, and Pennsylvania state law expressly forbids it. Under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.510, no municipality in Pennsylvania may enact any ordinance or resolution controlling or establishing a maximum for the amount of rent charged for the use of residential premises. This statewide preemption applies to Bloomsburg and every other Pennsylvania borough, city, and township.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Bloomsburg can raise your rent by any amount — there is no cap — as long as proper written notice is given before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, at least 15 days' written notice is required before a rent increase or lease termination under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501. For tenancies of one year or more, 30 days' written notice is required. Landlords are not required to justify the amount of a rent increase.
Because rent increases are uncapped, Bloomsburg tenants — particularly students on fixed budgets — should carefully review any lease renewal terms and understand that declining to sign a new lease at a higher rent may result in a proper eviction or non-renewal proceeding. The only protection against sudden increases is the statutory notice period set by Pennsylvania law.
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101 et seq.) provides several baseline protections for Bloomsburg renters.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Pennsylvania courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heating systems, weatherproofing, plumbing, and freedom from serious code violations. If a landlord refuses to address essential repair requests after proper written notice, Pennsylvania tenants may have the right to withhold rent or pursue rent escrow through the courts, though these remedies require following specific procedures.
Security Deposit Rules (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511–512): Landlords may collect a maximum of two months' rent as a security deposit in the first year of tenancy. After the first year, the cap drops to one month's rent, and any excess must be returned to the tenant. Deposits must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of deductions.
Notice to Terminate (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501): For month-to-month tenancies or tenancies of less than one year, landlords must provide at least 15 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. For tenancies of one year or more, the required notice is at least 30 days.
Anti-Retaliation Protections: Pennsylvania courts recognize retaliatory eviction as an affirmative defense. A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services in retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any legal right under the Landlord and Tenant Act. If a landlord acts within six months of a tenant's protected activity, courts may presume the action is retaliatory.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501): Landlords in Pennsylvania are prohibited from using self-help eviction tactics such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out. The landlord must follow the formal court eviction process to recover possession of a rental unit. Violations may expose a landlord to civil liability.
Pennsylvania's security deposit rules are governed by 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.511–250.512 and apply in full to Bloomsburg rentals.
Deposit Cap: During the first year of a tenancy, a landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. After the first year of continuous occupancy, the cap drops to one month's rent. If a landlord is holding more than one month's rent after the first year, the tenant is entitled to a refund of the excess amount.
Interest on Deposits: If the deposit exceeds $100, the landlord must hold it in an interest-bearing account in a federally or state-regulated institution and notify the tenant of the bank name and address within 30 days of receiving the deposit (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511b). Tenants are entitled to annual interest minus a 1% administrative fee after the second year of tenancy.
Return Deadline: After the tenant moves out, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit — or any remaining balance after deductions — along with a written, itemized list of any amounts withheld and the reason for each deduction (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512).
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit and provide the itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512). To preserve these rights, tenants should provide written notice of their new address at the time of move-out and document the condition of the unit with photographs.
Evictions in Bloomsburg follow the formal judicial process established under Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.501–250.513) and are adjudicated at the Columbia County Magisterial District Court level.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. For nonpayment of rent, a 10-day written notice to pay or vacate is required under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501. For lease violations, a 15-day or 30-day notice to vacate (depending on tenancy length) is typically required. For a month-to-month tenancy with no cause, 15 days' notice is required; for tenancies of one year or more, 30 days' notice is required.
Step 2 — Complaint Filing: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Landlord-Tenant Complaint at the local Magisterial District Court in Columbia County. The filing fee is set by the court. A hearing is then scheduled, and the tenant receives a notice of hearing.
Step 3 — Magisterial District Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a Magisterial District Judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including payment of rent, uninhabitable conditions, or retaliatory eviction. The judge issues a judgment, typically within a few days of the hearing.
Step 4 — Appeal Period: Either party may appeal the judge's decision to the Columbia County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days. If the tenant appeals and pays the disputed rent into escrow, the eviction is stayed during the appeal.
Step 5 — Writ of Possession: If the landlord wins and the tenant does not appeal or vacate voluntarily, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession from the court. A constable or sheriff then provides the tenant with an additional 10-day notice before physically removing occupants and property.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Landlords in Pennsylvania may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings to force them out without a court order (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501). Any landlord who engages in self-help eviction may face civil liability. Tenants who experience self-help eviction should contact local law enforcement and a legal aid attorney immediately.
No Just Cause Requirement: Unlike Philadelphia, Bloomsburg has no just cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may decline to renew a lease without providing any reason, as long as proper notice is given under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Pennsylvania and Bloomsburg may change, and individual circumstances vary. Do not rely on this page as a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. If you have a specific landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, contact MidPenn Legal Services, PA Law Help, or another qualified legal professional in Columbia County. Statutes cited were current as of April 2026 but should be independently verified.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.