Pennsylvania Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
A month-to-month rental agreement in Pennsylvania is a contract that allows a tenant to occupy a landlord’s property on a monthly basis. This agreement can be either written or oral, although landlords typically prefer a written contract to resolve potential disputes. The tenancy automatically renews each month unless either party provides notice to terminate the agreement.
Pennsylvania Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
Legal Requirements for Month-to-Month Leases
Minimum Termination Period
A landlord must provide at least 15 days’ notice before terminating a month-to-month lease in Pennsylvania. There is no state requirement for the notice period that tenants must provide before terminating the lease.
Rent Increase
Pennsylvania law does not impose a limit on rent increases; however, landlords must provide written notice of any increase as specified in the lease agreement.
Required Disclosures
Landlords are required to disclose the following information to tenants:
- Lead-Based Hazards: Information regarding the presence of lead-based paint, especially in properties built before 1978.
- Notice of Abandoned Personal Property: Guidelines on how abandoned personal property will be handled.
- Security Deposit Notice: Information regarding the handling of security deposits.
For more detailed information on necessary disclosures and relevant laws, landlords and tenants can refer to the Pennsylvania lease agreement page.
Pennsylvania Month-to-Month Eviction
Eviction Process
Evictions for month-to-month rentals must adhere to specific legal requirements:
- Landlords are required to provide a written notice to vacate, typically giving 15 days’ notice if the rent is paid monthly.
- This notice serves to inform the tenant of the landlord’s intention to terminate the tenancy without cause.
- If the tenant does not vacate the property after the notice period, the landlord may file for eviction through the local Magisterial District Court.
Month-to-Month Laws Specific to Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, landlords must provide 30 days’ notice for any rent increase, which is an exception to the general state requirements.
Statutes
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511a – Escrow funds limited
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512 – Recovery of improperly held escrow funds
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511b(b) – Interest on escrow funds held more than two years
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.511b – Interest on escrow funds held more than two years
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.206 – Statement of escrowed funds
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.501(b) – Notice to quit
- 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.205 – Participation in tenants’ association
- 42 Pa. C.S. § 1123 – Jurisdiction and venue
FAQs
A Pennsylvania month-to-month rental agreement is a contract allowing a tenant to occupy a landlord’s property on a monthly basis. It can be either written or oral, but written agreements are preferred for clarity in case of disputes. The tenancy automatically renews each month unless either party provides notice to terminate.
In Pennsylvania, a landlord must provide at least 15 days’ written notice before terminating a month-to-month lease. There is no state-mandated notice period for tenants wishing to terminate the agreement.
Pennsylvania law does not impose a limit on rent increases for month-to-month leases, but landlords must provide written notice of the increase as specified in the lease agreement. In Philadelphia, landlords are required to give 30 days’ notice for any rent increase.
Landlords in Pennsylvania must provide several required disclosures, including information about lead-based hazards, notice of abandoned personal property, and security deposit notices. If the property was built before 1978, a lead-based paint disclosure is also mandatory.
To evict a tenant from a month-to-month rental in Pennsylvania, landlords must provide a written notice to vacate, typically giving 15 days’ notice if rent is paid monthly. If the tenant does not vacate after this period, the landlord can file for eviction in the local Magisterial District Court.