This bill amends Pennsylvania's Loan Interest and Protection Law to ban prepayment penalties on residential mortgages taken out on or after its effective date. It directly affects homeowners with personal, family, or household loans by allowing them to pay off their mortgages early without incurring extra fees or charges. The law ensures that borrowers can clear their debt ahead of schedule without financial penalties, and the changes will become active 60 days after the bill is passed.
HB 2109 prohibits Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, towns, and counties) from setting household size limits based on familial relationships (such as parents with children or roommates). It allows occupancy limits only for verified health/safety standards (like building codes) or to comply with federal/state affordable housing program rules. The bill directly affects renters, homeowners, and local officials who previously enforced such restrictions. Key definitions clarify that "familial relationship" includes blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care ties, and "local government unit" covers all Pennsylvania municipalities. This bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
This bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 558 caps residential rental application fees at $20 per applicant and restricts landlords from charging more for background checks that must include criminal history and credit score checks. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by limiting fee amounts and specifying how fees may be used. The bill exempts commercial or nonresidential properties from these fee limits. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 344 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to require landlords to disclose parking availability and associated fees in rental leases. Landlords must state whether parking is provided, if a fee applies, and the exact amount - prohibiting fee increases during the lease term. Tenants can file complaints with lower courts (e.g., district justice) if landlords fail to comply, and landlords violating the rules must reimburse tenants for parking costs incurred. This directly affects landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania rental agreements involving parking.
HB 72 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to create new protections for tenants facing domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking. It defines "eligible tenants" as those who are victims themselves or have an immediate family/household member (living with them or within 1,000 feet) who is a victim of these specific violent acts. The bill requires landlords to provide safety options like changing locks or relocating tenants without penalty upon verification from an "attesting third party" (such as a police officer or victim advocate). This directly affects renters in these situations by ensuring they aren't unfairly evicted or penalized for seeking safety due to violence.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to clarify what counts as a redevelopment assistance capital project and removes a spending cap on housing construction. It defines these projects as those that generate economic activity, have regional impact, and include at least 50% non-state funding, while explicitly excluding highways, bridges, and waste or water facilities. Additionally, the legislation repeals a specific provision that previously limited the use of funds for building housing units to $50 million. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for borrowing money to fund large-scale community and economic development initiatives.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to strengthen protections against discrimination in housing and commercial property transactions. It directly affects landlords, sellers, lenders, and financial institutions by explicitly prohibiting them from refusing services or making decisions based on a person's source of income, such as public assistance or child support. The legislation also clarifies that discrimination is illegal when it involves a person's use of guide or support animals due to blindness, deafness, or physical disabilities. Additionally, the bill bans the publication of advertisements that express preferences or limitations based on these protected characteristics.
HB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.
