How are Security Deposits treated in PA ?

Most tenants are required to provide a Security Deposit.

The Security Deposit (SD) is used to protect the Landlord’s 

interest if the tenants damage the unit or defaults on 

rental payments. 

In PA , the “Landlord Tenant Act” governs all residential SD’s.

Here are a few of its provisions:

1. Maximum Amount of SD allowed - 2 Months 

2.At the beginning of second year 1 month must be returned 

3. From years 2-5   the SD can be increased to match the moly. Rent

4. The SD is not to be used as the last month’s rent 

5.After tenants vacate and have left a forwarding address the Property    

    Manager must do one of the following three :

     1. Refund the entire SD 

     2. Partial Refund and send itemized list showing subtractions 

     3. No Refund , itemized list as why , and submit bill for add’l damages

The LTA requires all of this to be done in 30 days . If the Property Mngr. fails

to communicate with the tenants by that 30 day period , the tenant can sue for

the return of their SD ( at the District Magistrate ) . If proven the the Property

Manager has not correctly communicated , the tenant is usually awarded DOUBLE

the amount of their Security Deposit !