Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Elizabethtown is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with a growing rental market driven in part by its proximity to Harrisburg and the presence of Elizabethtown College. Many residents rent apartments, townhomes, and single-family houses throughout the borough, and understanding tenant rights under Pennsylvania law is essential for anyone signing a lease here.
Pennsylvania's primary framework for landlord-tenant relations is the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101–250.602). This statute covers security deposit limits and return timelines, notice requirements before termination, and the eviction process. Elizabethtown has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law provides, so the state framework is the full extent of renters' legal protections in this borough.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you face eviction, a security deposit dispute, or an uninhabitable rental, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization in your area.
Elizabethtown has no rent control, and Pennsylvania law makes it impossible for any local government to enact one. Under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.510, municipalities across Pennsylvania are expressly prohibited from passing ordinances that regulate or control the amount of rent charged for residential property. This statewide preemption applies equally to Elizabethtown and every other borough, township, and city in the commonwealth — with no exceptions.
In practice, this means a landlord in Elizabethtown can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time, as long as they provide the legally required written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 15 days' notice (or 30 days after one year of tenancy) under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be raised mid-lease, but can increase to any level upon renewal. Tenants have no legal right to challenge the amount of a rent increase in Pennsylvania courts.
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101–250.602) provides the foundational protections for Elizabethtown renters. Key protections include:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Pennsylvania courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a livable condition — meaning adequate heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from serious health hazards. If a landlord fails to make essential repairs after receiving written notice, tenants may have the right to withhold rent or pursue other legal remedies. Tenants should document all repair requests in writing and retain copies.
Security Deposit Protections (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511–250.512): Landlords are capped on how much they can collect as a security deposit (see the Security Deposit section below) and are required to return it within 30 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of any deductions.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501): Landlords must provide at least 15 days' written notice before terminating a month-to-month tenancy that has lasted less than one year. Once a tenancy has continued for one year or more, the required notice period increases to 30 days. These are minimum requirements; a lease can provide for longer notice periods.
Anti-Retaliation Protection: Pennsylvania courts recognize retaliatory eviction as an affirmative defense. If a landlord attempts to evict or otherwise penalize a tenant for reporting code violations, contacting housing authorities, or exercising any legal right, that tenant may raise retaliation as a defense in eviction proceedings. Tenants should document all complaints and correspondence carefully to preserve this defense.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Under Pennsylvania law, landlords are prohibited from removing a tenant through self-help measures — such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — without first obtaining a court order. Any landlord who engages in such conduct may be liable for damages.
Pennsylvania's security deposit rules, found at 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.511–250.512, apply directly to Elizabethtown rentals and offer several important protections for tenants.
Deposit Cap: For the first year of a tenancy, a landlord may collect a maximum security deposit equal to two months' rent. Beginning with the second year of the same tenancy, the maximum deposit drops to one month's rent. If a landlord is holding more than one month's rent after the first year, they are required to return the excess to the tenant (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511).
Interest on Deposits: If a landlord holds a security deposit for two or more years, they must place it in an interest-bearing escrow account and pay the tenant any interest earned annually, less a 1% administrative fee (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511.1).
Return Deadline: A landlord must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the property (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512). The clock starts when the tenant moves out and provides a forwarding address.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees, in a civil action (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512). To protect your right to the full deposit, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written records.
In Elizabethtown, landlords must follow Pennsylvania's statutory eviction process and cannot remove a tenant through self-help. The process is governed primarily by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 and the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure for Magisterial District Courts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing any court action, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
• Nonpayment of rent: 10 days' written notice to pay or vacate (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501).
• Lease violation: 15 days' written notice to cure the violation or vacate (for tenancies under one year); 30 days' notice for tenancies of one year or more (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501).
• End of tenancy / non-renewal: 15 days' notice (under one year) or 30 days' notice (one year or more) before the termination date (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501).
Step 2 — Magisterial District Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a complaint for possession at the local Magisterial District Court in Lancaster County. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 7 to 15 days of filing, and both parties will receive notice of the hearing date.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear at the hearing, present evidence, and raise defenses. Common defenses include improper notice, retaliation, or the landlord's failure to maintain the unit in a habitable condition. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Order for Possession: After judgment, the tenant has 10 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. If no appeal is filed, the landlord may request an Order for Possession, which is served by a constable or sheriff. The tenant then has an additional 10 days after service of the order to vacate before physical removal can occur.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord in Elizabethtown may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a move-out outside of this court process. Such conduct is illegal under Pennsylvania law and may expose the landlord to civil liability for damages.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on your specific facts and circumstances. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, an uninhabitable rental, or any other landlord-tenant issue, you should consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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.