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Lansdowne is a small borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, located just southwest of Philadelphia along the Route 1 corridor. Like many inner-ring suburbs in the Philadelphia metro area, Lansdowne has a significant renter population occupying older row homes, apartments, and multi-family buildings. Renters here most commonly search for information about security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before an eviction, and whether rent can be raised without limit.
All tenant-landlord matters in Lansdowne are governed by Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101–250.602) and common-law habitability standards recognized by Pennsylvania courts. Lansdowne Borough has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances, so state law sets the complete framework for renter rights in the community.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Lansdowne renters as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction or a landlord dispute, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.
Lansdowne has no rent control, and no Pennsylvania municipality may enact one. Pennsylvania state law explicitly prohibits local governments from adopting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. The preemption statute, 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.510, states that no local ordinance may limit the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This means that a Lansdowne landlord may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance notice.
In practical terms, Lansdowne renters have no cap on how much rent can increase. A landlord wishing to raise rent for a month-to-month tenant must provide at least 15 days' written notice before the start of the next rental period if the tenancy has lasted less than one year, or 30 days' notice for longer tenancies (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501). For fixed-term leases, the landlord may set a new rent when the lease is offered for renewal, and the tenant's only recourse is to accept, negotiate, or move out. There is no local appeals process or rent board in Lansdowne.
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101 et seq.) is the primary statute governing the landlord-tenant relationship in Lansdowne. The following key protections apply to all residential renters in the borough.
Implied Warranty of Habitability. Pennsylvania courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in all residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation — including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural soundness. If a landlord refuses to address a serious defect after notice, a tenant may have the right to withhold rent or pursue other remedies under common law. Tenants should document repair requests in writing before exercising any rent-withholding right.
Security Deposit Rules (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511–250.512). Landlords may collect no more than two months' rent as a security deposit during the first year of tenancy, and no more than one month's rent for any subsequent year. After move-out, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can entitle the tenant to double the deposit amount plus attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501). For month-to-month or year-to-year tenancies, the landlord must provide written notice of termination. The required notice is at least 15 days before the end of the rental period if the tenancy has been in place for less than one year, and at least 30 days if the tenancy has lasted one year or longer. Tenants must give the same notice if they intend to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection. Pennsylvania law and court precedent prohibit landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations or exercise rights under their lease or state law. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized defense in Pennsylvania courts, and tenants who can demonstrate a retaliatory motive may have the eviction dismissed.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition. A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant to leave. All evictions must proceed through the magisterial district court process under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. Self-help evictions expose a landlord to civil liability.
Security deposit rules in Lansdowne are governed by 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.511–250.512 of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.
Deposit Cap: During the first year of a tenancy, a landlord may collect a security deposit of no more than two months' rent. In each subsequent year of the same tenancy, the cap drops to one month's rent, and the landlord must return any amount collected above that cap within 30 days of the anniversary of the lease.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates the unit, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit (or whatever portion is not withheld for legitimate damages) along with a written, itemized list of any deductions. The itemized statement must describe each deduction and its dollar amount.
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 of the deposit plus reasonable attorney's fees under 68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512. A landlord who wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit without an itemized statement may also forfeit the right to claim any deductions at all.
Practical Tips: Take date-stamped photos of the unit at move-in and move-out, request a move-in inspection checklist from the landlord, and send your forwarding address to the landlord in writing after vacating so the 30-day clock is clearly established.
Evictions in Lansdowne follow the standard Pennsylvania eviction process established by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 and the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure for Magisterial District Courts. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through the court process.
Step 1 — Written Notice. Before filing any court action, a landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing at Magisterial District Court. If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a complaint with the Magisterial District Court for Delaware County. A hearing is typically scheduled within 7 to 15 days. The tenant has the right to appear, present a defense, and raise claims such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitability or a retaliatory motive.
Step 3 — Judgment and Writ of Possession. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, the tenant has 10 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County. If no appeal is filed, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession from the court, which authorizes the constable to remove the tenant.
No Just Cause Requirement. Lansdowne has no local just-cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may decline to renew a lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason with proper notice.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. A Lansdowne landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove belongings, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Doing so exposes the landlord to civil liability and potential criminal charges. If you experience a self-help eviction, contact local police and a legal aid organization immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Pennsylvania and Lansdowne Borough are subject to change, and individual circumstances can significantly affect how the law applies to your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other landlord-tenant legal matter, you should consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is current, complete, or applicable to your specific case.
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