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Pennsylvania security deposit law
Short answer: A Pennsylvania landlord has 30 days after the lease ends to send a written list of damages and return the rest of the deposit. Deposits are capped at two months' rent in the first year of a lease and one month's rent after that.
| Deadline to return the deposit | 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant moves out and the landlord accepts the keys, whichever comes first. |
|---|---|
| Limit on how much a landlord can charge | Two months' rent during the first year of a lease. One month's rent in the second year and later, or on renewal. After five years in the unit, a rent increase can't raise the deposit. |
| Itemized list of deductions | Yes. The landlord must send a written list of damages the tenant is responsible for, along with the balance of the deposit. |
| Interest on the deposit | Yes, after the deposit has been held two years, for deposits over $100: the money goes in a bank escrow account, the landlord may keep 1% a year as a fee, and the tenant gets the rest of the interest every year on the lease anniversary. |
| Penalty if the landlord breaks the rules | A landlord who misses the 30-day list loses the right to keep any of the deposit or sue for damage. A landlord who doesn't pay back what's owed within 30 days can owe double the amount wrongly kept. |
| What the tenant has to do | Give the landlord your new address in writing when you move out. If you don't, the landlord isn't liable under this law. |
| The law | Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Sections 511.1, 511.2 and 512 (68 P.S. 250.511a to 250.512) |
Official law: Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Sections 511.1, 511.2 and 512 (68 P.S. 250.511a to 250.512). Checked against the statute on 2026-11-04.
Good to know
- The landlord has to prove the damage the tenant caused.
- The landlord must tell the tenant in writing which bank holds the deposit and how much.
- A lease can't waive these rules; any waiver is void.
Tips for landlords
- Do a written move-in inspection and have the tenant sign it. Take dated photos of every room, including inside appliances and closets.
- Collect the tenant's forwarding address in writing at move-out.
- Put the itemized list and the refund in the mail well before the deadline, and keep proof of mailing.
- Normal wear and tear (faded paint, light carpet wear, small nail holes) usually can't be charged. Damage beyond that can.
Tips for tenants
- Take your own dated photos and video on move-in day and move-out day.
- Give your landlord your forwarding address in writing, and keep a copy.
- If the deadline passes, send a written demand letter that cites the law above before going to small claims court.
Common questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Pennsylvania?
30 days after the lease ends or the tenant moves out and the landlord accepts the keys, whichever comes first.
Is there a limit on security deposits in Pennsylvania?
Two months' rent during the first year of a lease. One month's rent in the second year and later, or on renewal. After five years in the unit, a rent increase can't raise the deposit.
Does a landlord in Pennsylvania have to itemize deductions?
Yes. The landlord must send a written list of damages the tenant is responsible for, along with the balance of the deposit.