Pennsylvania has no statewide rent control, and no city in the state currently has an active rent-control ordinance. No state law expressly preempts local rent control, but municipalities generally lack the authority to adopt one, so landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 provides protections on deposits and the eviction process, though habitability protections are thinner than in many states. Philadelphia has additional tenant protections under local ordinances.
Pennsylvania at a Glance
Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Pennsylvania has no statewide rent control, and no Pennsylvania municipality currently has an active rent-control ordinance. The state has not enacted a law expressly preempting local rent control — preemption bills such as HB 2190 (2019-2020) and HB 136 (2021-2022) failed in committee — but in practice municipalities generally lack the enabling authority to adopt one.
What Protections Pennsylvania Tenants Do Have
Even without rent control, Pennsylvania law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:
Security Deposit
Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent for the first year, then 1 month thereafter. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement. Failure can result in double damages plus attorney's fees (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512).
Notice to Terminate
Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 15 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy. After one year, the required notice increases to 30 days (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501).
Habitability
Pennsylvania recognizes an implied warranty of habitability. Tenants may withhold rent after proper notice if landlords refuse to make essential repairs. Philadelphia tenants have additional remedies under the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code.
Retaliation Protection
Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting housing code violations or exercising legal rights. Retaliatory eviction is a recognized defense in Pennsylvania courts.
Philadelphia Tenant Protections
Philadelphia has additional protections beyond state law, including the Good Cause Eviction Standard requiring landlords to have cause before refusing to renew a lease, and a landlord-tenant hotline (215-686-1251).