Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2023: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, further providing for hearing, judgment, writ of possession and payment of rent by tenant.

HB 2023 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to update eviction procedures. It directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking to regain property by requiring courts to hold hearings before eviction judgments, setting specific deadlines for issuing writs of possession, and clarifying how tenants must pay rent during the legal process. The bill adds new procedural requirements for each step in eviction cases, including detailed rules for rent payments to prevent or resolve disputes. These changes aim to standardize and clarify the eviction process without altering core tenant or landlord rights. The bill is currently referred to the Housing & Community Development committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends eviction procedures to require court hearings before eviction, clarify rent payments, and protect tenants from immediate displacement, strengthening tenant protections as defined in the housing topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 670: An Act amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), referred to as the Housing Authorities Law, providing for public housing safety committees; further providing for requirements regarding tenants and landlords in cities of the first class; and providing for background checks for landlords.

Senate Bill 670 amends the Housing Authorities Law to establish new procedures for public housing applicants with criminal records and expands requirements for landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It creates Public Housing Safety Committees, comprising the Authority's Executive Director, District Attorney, and President Judge, to review applicants with certain criminal offenses on a case-by-case basis, evaluating potential threats to resident safety. The bill also broadens requirements for all Housing Authorities (previously limited to first-class cities) to ensure compliance with federal criminal activity rules for tenants and to deny Housing Choice Voucher Program approval to landlords with delinquent property taxes. Additionally, it requires law enforcement agencies to provide background checks to landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program upon request.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands landlord requirements in Housing Choice Voucher Program and creates safety committees for tenant protection, strengthening tenant rights within affordable housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 546: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in preliminary provisions, providing for residential rental property rate increases; and establishing the Rent Control Advisory Board.

SB 546 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate rent increases for residential properties. It limits annual rent hikes to the greater of 10% or the county's annual area median income increase, requires landlords to disclose rent discounts separately, and prohibits more than one increase per year for the same tenant without agreement. The bill establishes a Rent Control Advisory Board (appointed with tenant, developer, housing, and government representatives) to monitor implementation, issue annual reports, and track county median income data. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by setting clear rent increase rules and creating oversight for enforcement. Violations require landlords to pay three months' rent plus damages to affected tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent hikes to 10% or median income increase, prohibits multiple annual increases, requires rent discount disclosure - directly strengthens tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 8, 2025

HB 24: An Act providing for off-campus student housing rights.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create and distribute a "student bill of rights" to all off-campus students at accredited colleges and universities in the state. The bill outlines specific tenant protections, including the right to habitable housing, privacy, a hearing before eviction, and reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Institutions must also provide students with an online course about housing rights, which students must complete within their first semester (or pay a $50 fee for non-completion). The law applies to all public and private higher education institutions in Pennsylvania and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes housing rights and mandatory education for off-campus students, enhancing student welfare and access within higher education institutions.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant protections for off-campus students including habitable housing, eviction hearings, and disability accommodations, directly strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1034: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for payments for utility services.

HB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify utility payment rules for renters. It requires landlords who collect water, sewer, gas, or electricity payments directly from tenants to include a written notice in the lease about this obligation and provide a copy of the utility bill to the tenant within five days of a written request. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Pennsylvania rental agreements. Key provisions ensure transparency by mandating written notice and timely access to billing information, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to provide written utility notices and bills to tenants, enhancing transparency and tenant rights under PA's Landlord-Tenant Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 573: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, further providing for escrow funds limited.

HB 573 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to require that all security deposits, including pet deposits, be fully refundable at the end of a lease. The bill prohibits landlords from including any lease provision labeling these deposits as nonrefundable. This directly affects residential landlords and tenants by ensuring deposits must be returned unless deductions are made for legitimate damages beyond normal wear and tear. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires full refundability of security deposits, strengthening tenant protections and preventing landlords from retaining nonrefundable fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SB 643: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions; prohibiting use of criminal history and retaliation relating to use of criminal history; providing for notice to prospective occupants and tenants relating to use of criminal history and for exclusions and other legal requirements relating to use of criminal history; and further providing for procedure and for civil penalties.

Senate Bill 643 amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to regulate how landlords can use criminal history information when making housing decisions. The bill prohibits landlords from denying tenancy or retaliating against prospective occupants and tenants based on certain criminal histories. It establishes "fair chance housing" practices, defining specific "legitimate business reasons" for considering criminal history, generally excluding convictions more than two years old. Additionally, it requires landlords to provide notice regarding their use of criminal history and updates the procedures and civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, promoting fair chance housing and reducing reentry barriers - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, establishes fair chance housing, and protects tenants from unjust denial of tenancy under PA Human Relations Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 72: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, providing for tenants' rights in cases of violence.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide safety options for victims of violence, directly addressing tenant rights under housing topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 734: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in tenement buildings and multiple dwelling premises, further providing for landlord's duties; and providing for tenant relocation.

HB 734 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to update landlord responsibilities in tenement and multiple-dwelling buildings. It specifically adds new requirements for landlords when relocating tenants, such as providing relocation assistance during building repairs or renovations. The bill directly affects landlords in older apartment buildings and tenants who may need to move due to property improvements or maintenance. These changes clarify and strengthen existing protections for renters in multi-unit housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds relocation assistance requirements and strengthens tenant protections during building renovations, directly advancing tenant rights under housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1492: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, providing for use of criminal records to screen tenants; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; and imposing penalties.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits criminal record use in tenant screening, promotes fair housing practices and civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits landlord use of criminal records in tenant screening, preventing discrimination and strengthening tenant protections under fair housing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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