Landlord Tenant Act

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT OF 1951

(As amended through July 6, 1995)

68 P.S. §§250.101 – 250.510-B

(When referring to section numbers, use the number after the

decimal point. For example, Section 201 is §250.201.)

Article I.

Preliminary Provisions.

Section 101. Short Title.

Section 102. Definitions.

Section 103. Provisions Excluded from Act.

Section 104. Rights of Persons Acquiring Title by Descent or Purchase.

Section 105. Sublesses.

Article II.

Creation of Leases: Statute of Frauds; Mortgaging of Leaseholds.

Section 201. Leases for Not More Than Three Years.

Section 202. Leases for More Than Three Years.

Section 203. Assignment, Grant and Surrender of Leases to be in Writing; Exception.

Section 204. Mortgaging of Leaseholds.

Section 205. Participation in Tenants’ Association.

Section 206. Statement of Escrowed Funds.

Acticle III.

Recovery of Rent by Assumpsit and Distress.

Section 301. Recovery of Rent by Assumpsit.

Section 302. Power to Distrain for Rent; Notice.

Section 303. Collection of Rent in Special Cases.

Section 304. Collection of Rent by Purchasers at Sheriffs’ and Judicial Sales.

Section 305. Distress of Property Fraudulently Removed.

Section 306. Replevin by Tenant or Owner.

Section 307. Proceeding by Tenant to Determine Set-Off.

Section 308. Appraisement of Property Levied Upon.

Section 309. Sale and Notice Thereof; Distribution of Proceeds.

Section 310. Rights of Purchasers of Growing Agricultural Crops.

Section 311. Damages for Removal of Property Distrained On.

Section 312. Remedy of Cases of Improper Distress.

Section 313. Remedy Where Distress and Sale Made and No Rent Due.

Article IV.

Exemptions from Distress and Sale.

Section 401. Tenant’s Exemption; Appraisement.

Section 402. Wearing Apparel, Bibles; School Books; Sewing Machines and Military Accountrements to be Exempt.

Section 403. Exemption of Property on Premises Under Lease or Sale Contract Subject to Security Interest.

Section 404. Exemption of Other Property Located on Premises.

Article V.

Recovery of Possession.

Section 501. Notice to Quit

Section 502. Summons and Service.

Section 503. Hearing; Judgment; Writ of Possession; Payment of Rent by Tenant.

Section 504. Return by Constable or Sheriff.

Section 505. Abandoned Mobile Homes.

Section 511. Remedy to Recover Possession by Ejectment Preserved.

Section 511.a. Escrow Funds Limited.

Section 511.b. Interest on Escrow Funds Held More Than Two Years.

Section 511.c. Bond in Lieu of Escrowing.

Section 512. Recovery of Improperly Held Escrow Funds.

Section 513. Appeal by Tenant of Common Pleas Court.

Article V-A.

Tenement Building and Multiple Dwelling Premises.

Section 501-A. Definitions.

Section 502-A. Landlord’s Duties.

Section 503-A. Tenant’s Duties.

Section 504-A. Tenant’s Rights.

Section 505-A. Use of Illegal Drugs.

Article V-B

Tenants’ Rights to Cable Television

Section 502-B. Tenants Protected.

Section 503-B. Tenants’ Rights.

Section 504-B. Right to Render Services; Notice.

Section 505-B. Compensation for Physical Damage.

Section 506-B. Compensation for Loss of Value.

Section 507-B. Venue.

Section 508-B. Alternative Service.

Section 509-B. Compliance with Requirements for Historical Buildings.

Section 510-B. Existing CATV Services Protected.

Article I.

Preliminary Provisions.

§ 250.101. Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951."

§ 250.102. Definitions

As used in this act--

"ABANDONED MOBILE HOME" means the vacating of a mobile home by a resident without notice to the community, together with the nonpayment of required rent, fees, service charges and assessments and one or more of the following:

(1) The removal of most or all personal property from the mobile home.

(2) Failure to use, maintain or return to the mobile home.

(3) Cancellation of insurance covering the mobile home.

(4) Termination of utility services to the mobile home.

"JUSTICE OF THE PEACE" means district justices, aldermen, magistrates or any other court having jurisdiction over landlord and tenant matters, excluding a court of common pleas.

"MOBILE HOME PARK" means any site, lot, field or tract of land, privately or publicly owned or operated, upon which three or more mobile homes occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes are or are intended to be located, regardless of whether or not a charge is made for such accommodation.

"MOBILE HOME RESIDENT" or "RESIDENT" means an owner of a mobile home who leases or rents space in a mobile home park. The term does not include a person who rents or leases a mobile home.

"MOBILE HOME SPACE" means a plot of ground within a mobile home park designed for the accommodation of one mobile home.

"PERSON" means natural persons, copartnerships, associations, private and public corporations, authorities, fiduciaries, the United States and any other country and their respective governmental agencies, this Commonwealth and any other state and their respective political subdivisions and agencies.

"PERSONAL PROPERTY" means goods and chattels, including fixtures and buildings erected by the tenant and which he has the right to remove, agricultural crops, whether harvested or growing, and livestock and poultry.

"REAL PROPERTY" means messuages, lands, tenements, real estate, buildings, parts thereof or any estate or interest therein and shall include any personalty on real property which is demised with the real property.

"TENANTS" ORGANIZATION OR ASSOCIATION" means a group of tenants organized for any purpose directly related to their rights or duties as tenants.

§ 250.103. Provisions excluded from act

Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to include or in any manner repeal or modify any existing law--

(1) Providing for preference of rent in case personal property liable to distress is taken and sold by virtue of any execution and providing for the payment of such rent from the proceeds of such execution;

(2) Denying to a plaintiff the right to stay an execution without the consent of the landlord having a preference for rent due payable from the proceeds of such execution;

(3) Providing that a sale on distress shall be stayed where the personal property distrained upon is levied upon by a sheriff or where a receiver or a trustee or receiver in bankruptcy is appointed for the person whose property was distrained, and providing for a lien for the rent or the proceeds of the sale of such personal property by such officer and the payment of such rent, together with the costs of executing the landlord's warrant, from the proceeds of such sale;

(4) Providing for preference of rent in cases of insolvency and assignment for the benefit of creditors and in bankruptcy proceedings;

(5) Providing for preference of rent in the settlement of estates of decedents;

(6) Fixing the liability of the tenant to pay taxes assessed against real property occupied by him and permitting the tenant to recover the amount of the tax so paid from the landlord or to defalcate such amount against rent due or becoming due;

(7) Providing for the issuing of writs of estrepement to stay waste committed by a tenant or by others allowed by a tenant to commit waste and for the procedure in such cases;

(8) Fixing the duties and liabilities of tenants and the rights of landlords in connection with actions of ejectment brought by third parties;

(9) Prescribing special proceedings for the obtaining of possession of real property purchased at tax or judicial sales and providing for and defining the rights, remedies, duties and liabilities of such purchasers and tenants affected thereby;

(10) Except as herein specially provided, fixing fees of justices of the peace, aldermen, magistrates, sheriffs or constables in any proceedings affecting the relationship of landlord and tenant.

§ 250.104. Rights of persons acquiring title by descent or purchase

Any person who acquires title to real property by descent or purchase shall be liable to the same duties and shall have the same rights, powers and remedies in relation to the property as the person from whom title was acquired.

§ 250.105. Sublessees

Any person who is a sublessee shall be subject to the provisions of the lease between the lessor and the lessee.

Article II.

Creation of Leases; Statute of Frauds; Mortgaging of Leaseholds.

§ 250.201. Leases for not more than three years

Real property, including any personal property thereon, may be leased for a term of not more than three years by a landlord or his agent to a tenant or his agent, by oral or written contract or agreement.

§ 250.202. Leases for more than three years

Real property, including any personal property thereon, may be leased for a term of more than three years by a landlord to a tenant or by their respective agents lawfully authorized in writing. Any such lease must be in writing and signed by the parties making or creating the same, otherwise it shall have the force and effect of a lease at will only and shall not be given any greater force or effect either in law or equity, notwithstanding any consideration therefor, unless the tenancy has continued for more than one year and the landlord and tenant have recognized its rightful existence by claiming and admitting liability for the rent, in which case the tenancy shall become one from year to year.

§ 250.203. Assignment, grant and surrender of leases to be in writing; exception

No lease of any real property made or created for a term of more than three years shall be assigned, granted or surrendered except in writing signed by the party assigning, granting or surrendering the same or his agent, unless such assigning, granting or surrendering shall result from operation of law.

§ 250.204. Mortgaging of leaseholds

Every tenant of real property may mortgage his lease or term in the demised premises, together with all buildings, fixtures and machinery thereon and appurtenant thereto belonging to the tenant, except as otherwise limited or prohibited by the terms of his lease.

Any such mortgaging of the tenant's interest and title shall have the same effect with respect to lien, notice, evidence and priority of payment as is provided by law in the case of the mortgaging of a freehold interest and title.

Any such mortgage shall be acknowledged and placed on record in the proper county, together with the lease or a memorandum thereof complying with the provisions of the act of June 2, 1959 (P.L. 454), as in the case of mortgages on freehold interests. If the lease or such a memorandum thereof shall have been recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds of the proper county before the time of the recording of the mortgage in lieu of being recorded together with the mortgage, such recording of the lease or memorandum shall be deemed sufficient compliance with this section if full and distinct reference is made in said mortgage to (a) the book and page where the lease or such memorandum is recorded, or (b) the date of recording and instrument number or other identifying number with respect to the recording of such lease or memorandum.

Any such mortgage of a tenant's interest and title may be enforced in the same manner as mortgages on freehold interests.

No such mortgage shall in any wise interfere with the landlord's rights, priority or remedies for rent.

As used in this section, the word "tenant" shall include a subtenant holding under a sublease from a tenant under a prime lease from the owner or from a subtenant under a sublease provided that the prime lease and the intervening subleases, if any, or memoranda thereof complying with the provisions of the act of June 2, 1959 (P.L. 454) shall have been recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds of the proper county at or before the time of recording of the sublease to such subtenant. As applied to a mortgage made by a subtenant, the word "lease" wherever used in this section shall mean sublease.

§ 250.205. Participation in Tenants' Association

No individual unit lease on residential property shall be terminated or nonrenewed on the basis of the participation of any tenant or member of the tenant's family in a tenants' organization or association.

§ 250.206. Statement of Escrowed Funds

Whenever an agency or department certifies that a dwelling is uninhabitable and a tenant elects to pay rent into an escrow account established under the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L. 1534, No. 536), referred to as the City Rent Withholding Act, it shall be the duty of the certifying agency or department to submit a monthly statement of escrowed funds to the landlord affected by first class mail.

Article III.

Recovery of Rent by Assumpsit

And Distress.

§ 250.301. Recovery of rent by assumpsit

Any landlord may recover from a tenant rent in arrears in an action of assumpsit as debts of similar amount are by law recoverable. In any such action, interest at the legal rate on the amount of rent due may be allowed if deemed equitable under the circumstances of the particular case.

§ 250.302. Power to distrain for rent; notice

Personal property located upon premises occupied by a tenant shall, unless exempted by article four of this act, be subject to distress for any rent reserved and due. Such distress may be made by the landlord or by his agent duly authorized thereto in writing. Such distress may be made on any day, except Sunday, between the hours of seven ante meridian and seven post meridian and not at any other time, except where the tenant through his act prevents the execution of the warrant during such hours.

Notice in writing of such distress, stating the cause of such taking, specifying the date of levy and the personal property distrained sufficiently to inform the tenant or owner what personal property is distrained and the amount of rent in arrears, shall be given, within five days after making the distress, to the tenant and any other owner known to the landlord, personally, or by mailing the same to the tenant or any other owner at the premises, or by posting the same conspicuously on the premises charged with the rent.

A landlord or such agent may also, in the manner above provided, distrain personal property located on the premises but only that belonging to the tenant, for arrears of rent due on any lease which has ended and terminated, if such distress is made during the continuance of the landlord's title or interest in the property.

§ 250.303. Collection of rent in special cases

(a) The following persons shall have the right to collect all rent due by assumpsit or by distraint on personal property located on the real property subject to such rent:

(1) The owner of a ground rent;

(2) The personal representative of a deceased landlord or deceased tenant for life who has demised the real property subject to his estate, or a deceased landlord whose real property has escheated to the Commonwealth, whether such rent accrued prior to or after the death of the decedent and until the termination of the administration of the estate;

(3) The escheator appointed for the purpose of collecting rents;

(4) The spouse of a deceased landlord to whom real property has been set aside as his or her allowance by law; and,

(5) A widow who is the party named in a deed, agreement or decree of court under which a charge is made upon such real estate for the payment of instalments of dower.

(b) Any person given the right by this section to collect and distrain for rent shall be deemed for the purposes of this article to be a landlord.

§ 250.304. Collection of rent by purchasers at sheriff's and judicial sales

In the case of a tenant whose right of possession is not paramount to that of the purchaser at a sheriff's or other judicial sale, the latter shall have the right as a landlord to collect by assumpsit or to distrain for rent from the date of the acknowledgment of his deed, except for such fractional part of a quarter as the tenant, if a farmer or one engaged in raising crops or produce, or such fractional part of a month in other cases, as the tenant may, in accordance with the terms of his letting, have paid as an advance payment prior to the date of the acknowledgment of said deed. In the case of a tenant whose right of possession is paramount to that of such purchaser, advance rent paid prior to the date of acknowledgment of the purchaser's deed shall be deemed properly paid though paid prior to its due date, unless it is so paid with the actual notice of the pendency of the proceedings resulting in the sale or with intent to defeat the rights of a purchaser thereat.

The right of possession of a tenant for years shall not be deemed paramount to that of a purchaser at a tax sale.

The right of possession of a tenant shall be deemed paramount to that of a purchaser at a judicial sale if and only if the letting to him shall precede in point of date the entry of the judgment, order or decree on which such sale was had and also shall precede the recording or registering of the mortgage, deed or will, if any, through which by legal proceedings the purchaser derives title, and shall not be paramount if the letting is made with actual notice to such tenant of the contemplated entry of such judgment, order or decree or of the fact of the execution of such mortgage, deed or other instrument of writing and with intent to avoid the effect thereof.

§ 250.305. Distress of property fraudulently removed

In case any tenant of any real property shall fraudulently or clandestinely remove from the demised premises his personal property with intent to prevent the landlord from distraining the same for arrears of rent, it shall be lawful for the landlord or his agent, within the space of thirty days next ensuing such removal, to take and seize such personal property, wherever the same may be found, in distress for said arrears of rent and to proceed to sell the same, as hereinafter provided, as if the personal property had actually been distrained upon on the demised premises.

§ 250.306. Replevin by tenant or owner

The tenant or owner of any personal property distrained on may, within five days next after notice of such distress, replevy the same. All proceedings in replevin shall be conducted in accordance with general law and applicable rules of procedure governing actions of replevin.

§ 250.307. Proceeding by tenant to determine set-off

Any court of record or court not of record having jurisdiction in civil actions at law may entertain an action to defalcate by a tenant against a landlord where the landlord has distrained for arrears of rent, to compel the landlord to set-off any account which the tenant may have against the landlord. No such court shall entertain any such action where the rent or set-off claimed is in excess of its civil jurisdiction. Proceedings in such actions shall be the same as in actions of assumpsit.

The court shall determine the amount of rent in arrears and the amount of the set-off, if any, and enter judgment in favor of the proper party for the balance due.

If such judgment is in favor of the landlord he may, in lieu of issuing execution thereon, proceed with his distress for the amount of such judgment. If the landlord shall sell more personal property than necessary to satisfy such judgment and costs and fail to pay the overplus to the tenant, he shall be liable in trespass to double the amount of the sum so detained, together with the costs of suit. If the landlord shall proceed to sell any personal property after notice of any such proceeding to defalcate and before judgment in his favor thereon, he shall be liable in trespass to double the amount by which the sum realized from such sale exceeds the sum to which he shall be found to be entitled by the final judgment in the defalcation proceeding, together with the costs of suit in the defalcation proceeding, if such judgment be in his favor.

If the landlord proceeds with the distress, he shall satisfy the judgment to the extent of the amount realized on the sale, less the costs of the distress, or on his failure to do so, the tenant may proceed by rule to have such satisfaction entered.

§ 250.308. Appraisement of property levied upon

If the tenant or owner of the personal property distrained upon fails to replevy the same within said five days next after distress and notice thereof, the person distraining may, with the sheriff or his deputy or any constable or his deputy, which officer upon demand of the landlord shall aid and assist, cause the personal property so distrained to be appraised by two disinterested and competent persons appointed by said officer.

The appraisers shall each take the following oath or affirmation to be administered by the assisting officer:

"I , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will well and truly, according to my understanding, appraise the personal property of , distrained on for rent by ."

Each appraiser shall receive two dollars ($ 2) per diem for his services in making the appraisement, to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale.

§ 250.309. Sale and notice thereof; distribution of proceeds

After the appraisement has been completed, the sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or deputy constable shall fix a day, time and place of sale, of which at least six days public notice in writing shall be given by handbills. The notice of sale shall specify the personal property to be sold sufficiently to inform the tenant or owner and to induce bidders to attend the sale. On the day and at the time fixed for the sale or on any day and time to which said sale may be adjourned, the sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or deputy constable shall publicly sell the personal property so distrained for the best price that can be obtained for the same.

The proceeds of the sale shall be paid out in the following order: First, for the payment of any wages due by the tenant which by law are given preference and to the same extent and upon the same conditions of notice being given as required by the wage preference law and notice of the claim to the officer executing the landlord's warrant; second, for the payment of the charges and costs for making the distress, appraisement and sale; third, for the satisfaction of the rent for which the personal property was distrained; fourth, any overplus for the use of the owner.

§ 250.310. Rights of purchasers of growing agricultural crops

The purchaser of any growing agricultural crops at a sale on distress for rent shall at all times have free ingress and egress to and from the premises where the same may be growing and the right to repair fences. He shall have the right to dig, cut, gather, lay up and thresh the same in the same manner as the tenant might legally have done and thereafter to carry the same away from the premises.

§ 250.311. Damages for removal of property distrained on

Any landlord having distrained upon personal property for rent due who is aggrieved by the unlawful removal thereof shall, in an action of trespass, recover treble damages, together with the costs of suit, against the offender or against the owner, if it be afterwards found that the personal property has come into his use or possession.

§ 250.312. Remedy in cases of improper distress

The landlord and his agent shall be liable to the tenant or the owner of the personal property distrained on in an action of trespass, (1) if the distress is for more rent than is due, (2) or if the amount of personal property distrained is unreasonably great, (3) or if made after a proper tender of the rent due was rejected, (4) or if the distress is conducted irregularly or oppressively, (5) or if any personal property taken in distress was, to the knowledge of the landlord or his agent, not distrainable, (6) or if the distress is made at an improper time, (7) or if the landlord or his agent receives notice, after the distress, from the owner or his agent or from the tenant having possession of the property that the personal property distrained on was not subject to distress and nevertheless proceeds with the sale without affording the owner a five day period after such notice to replevy such personal property.

§ 250.313. Remedy where distress and sale made and no rent due

In case any distress and sale of personal property shall be made for rent when no rent is due to the person distraining or to the person in whose name the distress has been taken, then the owner of the personal property shall, by action of trespass brought against the person distraining, recover double the value of the personal property so distrained and sold, together with the costs of suit.

Article IV.

Exemptions from Distress and Sale.

§ 250.401. Tenant's exemption; appraisement

Unless the right of exemption has been waived by the tenant in writing, personal property to the value of three hundred dollars ($ 300), in addition to any other personal property specifically exempted by this article, shall be exempt from levy and sale by distress for rent.

The officer charged with the execution of any landlord's warrant shall, if requested by the tenant, summon two disinterested and competent persons, who shall be sworn or affirmed by such officer to appraise personal property, including bank notes, money, stocks, judgments or other indebtedness due the tenant, to the value of three hundred dollars ($ 300), which the tenant may elect to retain, and the property so elected and appraised shall be exempt from levy and sale in such distress proceedings.

Each appraiser shall be entitled to receive two dollars ($ 2.00) for his services.

§ 250.402. Wearing apparel; Bibles; school books; sewing machines and military accoutrements to be exempt

All wearing apparel of the tenant and his family, all Bibles and school books in use in the tenant's family, all sewing machines and other tools of trade used and owned by private families, and all uniforms, arms, ammunition and accoutrements of any commissioned officer or enlisted personnel of the National Guard or of the armed forces of the United States, shall be exempt from levy and sale on any landlord's warrant. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to exempt sewing machines kept for sale or hire.

§ 250.403. Exemption of property on premises under lease or conditional sale contract subject to a security interest

The following personal property loaned to or leased or hired by any person, or sold in any transaction in which a purchase money security interest is taken or retained shall be exempt from levy and sale on distress for rent so long as the security interest or title thereto remains in the secured party, owner, lender, or lessor if written notice, specifically describing the personal property loaned, leased, hired, or made subject to a security interest, shall be given to the landlord or his agent at the time the said personal property is placed upon the demised premises or within ten days thereafter, which notice shall contain a statement of the respective amounts due on each article named in the notice, and when so given, shall be effective as to such landlord and any future owner or owners of said premises, that is to say--

(1) All pianos, melodeons and organs;

(2) All soda water apparatus and the appurtenances thereto;

(3) All sewing machines and typewriting machines; and all accounting, tabulating, computing, bookkeeping, photocopying and other office equipment and machinery;

(4) All electric motors, electric fans, electric air conditioners and dynamos;

(5) All ice cream cabinets and ice cream containers and the appurtenances thereto;

(6) All household furniture and household goods;

(7) All patented shoe repairing machinery and tools;

(8) All beauty and barber shop furniture and equipment;

(9) All cigarette, candy, chewing gum, soft drink, milk, food and all other types of automatic merchandising service or amusement vending machines;

(10) All restaurant and bar furniture and equipment;

(11) All meat market and grocery store equipment;

(12) All industrial, mining and construction machinery and equipment not attached to the realty.

In the case of personal property enumerated in clauses (2), (3), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12) of this section, notice may be given in the manner above provided or, in lieu thereof, the name and address of the owner, lender, lessor or conditional vendor may be marked on or attached to said property on a visible part thereof.

Upon request at any reasonable time the owner, lender, lessor or conditional vendor of any personal property enumerated in this section shall advise the landlord or his agent as to the status of his account with the tenant. In default of such advice, it shall be conclusively presumed no balance is due on said account.

Any landlord may levy upon and sell on distress for rent any right or interest of the tenant in any personal property mentioned in this section, subject to the rights therein of the owner, lender, lessor or conditional vendor.

§ 250.404. Exemption of other property located on premises

The following personal property located on premises occupied by a tenant shall be exempt from levy and sale on distress for rent, i.e., personal property--

(1) Necessarily put in possession of the tenant in the course of his business by those with whom the tenant deals or by those who employ the tenant;

(2) Actually held by the tenant for someone else in the course of trade, as agent or as consignee;

(3) Sold for a valuable consideration by the tenant before distress to any bona fide purchaser not privy to any fraud;

(4) Of any guest at an inn or hotel, or of a boarder at a boarding house where such property is in the exclusive use of such boarder;

(5) Of a decedent;

(6) Of the United States and its governmental agencies, or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or of any political subdivision thereof;

(7) Of any public service company, essential to the performance of its public functions; or,

(8) Cattle or stock taken by the tenant to be fed or cared for on the leased premises for a consideration to be paid by the owner.

Article V.

Recovery of Possession.

§ 250.501. Notice to quit

(a) A landlord desirous of repossessing real property from a tenant except real property which is a mobile home space as defined in the act of November 24, 1976 (P.L. 1176, No. 261), known as the "Mobile Home Park Rights Act," may notify, in writing, the tenant to remove from the same at the expiration of the time specified in the notice under the following circumstances, namely, (1) Upon the termination of a term of the tenant, (2) or upon forfeiture of the lease for breach of its conditions, (3) or upon the failure of the tenant, upon demand, to satisfy any rent reserved and due.

(b) Except as provided for in subsection (c), in case of the expiration of a term or of a forfeiture for breach of the conditions of the lease where the lease is for any term of one year or less or for an indeterminate time, the notice shall specify that the tenant shall remove within fifteen days from the date of service thereof, and when the lease is for more than one year, then within thirty days from the date of service thereof. In case of failure of the tenant, upon demand, to satisfy any rent reserved and due, the notice shall specify that the tenant shall remove within ten days from the date of the service thereof.

(c) In case of the expiration of a term or of a forfeiture for breach of the conditions of the lease involving a tenant of a mobile home park as defined in the "Mobile Home Park Rights Act," where the lease is for any term of less than one year or for an indeterminate time, the notice shall specify that the tenant shall remove within thirty days from the date of service thereof, and when the lease is for one year or more, then within three months from the date of service thereof. In case of failure of the tenant, upon demand, to satisfy any rent reserved and due, the notice, if given on or after April first and before September first, shall specify that the tenant shall remove within fifteen days from the date of the service thereof, and if given on or after September first and before April first, then within thirty days from the date of the service thereof.

(c.1) The owner of a mobile home park shall not be entitled to recovery of the mobile home space upon the termination of a lease with a resident regardless of the term of the lease if the resident:

(1) is complying with the rules of the mobile home park; and

(2) is paying the rent due; and

(3) desires to continue living in the mobile home park.

(c.2) The only basis for the recovery of a mobile home space by an owner of a mobile home park shall be:

(1) When a resident is legally evicted as provided under section 3 of the "Mobile Home Park Rights Act."

(2) When the owner and resident mutually agree in writing to the termination of a lease.

(3) At the expiration of a lease, if the resident determines that he no longer desires to reside in the park and so notifies the owner in writing.

(d) In case of termination due to the provisions of section 505-A, the notice shall specify that the tenant shall remove within ten days from the date of service thereof.

(e) The notice above provided for may be for a lesser time or may be waived by the tenant if the lease so provides.

(f) The notice provided for in this section may be served personally on the tenant, or by leaving the same at the principal building upon the premises, or by posting the same conspicuously on the leased premises.

§ 250.502. Summons and service

(a) Upon the filing of the complaint, the justice of the peace shall issue a summons which recites substantially the complaint, is directed to any writ server, constable or the sheriff of the county and commands that writ server, constable or sheriff to summon the tenant to appear before the justice of the peace to answer the complaint on a date not less than seven nor more than ten days from the date of the summons.

(b) The summons may be served personally on the tenant, by mail or by posting the summons conspicuously on the leased premises.

§ 250.503. Hearing; judgment; writ of possession; payment of rent by tenant

(a) On the day and at the time appointed or on a day to which the case may be adjourned, the justice of the peace shall proceed to hear the case. If it appears that the complaint has been sufficiently proven, the justice of the peace shall enter judgment against the tenant:

(1) that the real property be delivered up to the landlord;

(2) for damages, if any, for the unjust detention of the demised premises; and

(3) for the amount of rent, if any, which remains due and unpaid.

(b) At the request of the landlord, the justice of the peace shall, after the fifth day after the rendition of the judgment, issue a writ of possession directed to the writ server, constable or sheriff, commanding him to deliver forthwith actual possession of the real property to the landlord and to levy the costs and amount of judgment for damages and rent, if any, on the tenant, in the same manner as judgments and costs are levied and collected on writs of execution. This writ is to be served within no later than forty-eight hours and executed on the eleventh day following service upon the tenant of the leased premises. Service of the writ of possession shall be served personally on the tenant by personal service or by posting the writ conspicuously on the leased premises.

(c) At any time before any writ of possession is actually executed, the tenant may, in any case for the recovery of possession solely because of failure to pay rent due, supersede and render the writ of no effect by paying to the writ server, constable or sheriff the rent actually in arrears and the costs.

§ 250.504. Return by constable or sheriff

The writ server, constable or sheriff shall make return of the writ of possession to the justice of the peace within ten days after receiving the writ. The return shall show: (1) the date, time, place and manner of service of the writ; (2) if the writ was satisfied by the payment of rent due or in arrears and costs by or on behalf of the tenant, the amount of that payment and its distribution; (3) the time and date of any forcible entry and ejectment, or that no entry for the purpose of ejectment had been made; and (4) his expenses and fees, which expenses and fees shall have been paid by the tenant or, if paid by the landlord, reimbursed to the landlord by the tenant in order to satisfy the writ.

§ 250.505. Abandoned mobile homes

(a) If a mobile home is abandoned by its residents for a period of thirty days or more, the owner of the mobile home park or other person or persons responsible for operation of the park may:

(1) Enter the mobile home and secure any appliances, furnishings, materials, supplies or other personal property therein and disconnect the mobile home from any utilities.

(2) Move the mobile home to a storage area within the mobile home park or to another location deemed necessary and proper without the requirement of obtaining a removal permit from the local taxing authority which would otherwise be required under section 407(e) of the act of May 22, 1933 (P.L. 853, No. 155), known as "The General County Assessment Law," or section 617.1 of the act of May 21, 1943 (P.L. 571, No. 254), known as "The Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law." The mobile home shall continue to be subject to the lien for taxes assessed against it, but the real estate on which the home was and is located shall not be encumbered by the lien. The former mobile home residents shall be notified by mail and by posting on the home and at any other known address, or by any other means by which notice may be achieved, that the mobile home has been moved and of the new location of the mobile home.

(3) Assess removal charges and storage charges against the former mobile home residents.

(b) A person or persons acting as authorized under subsection (a) are not responsible for any loss or damage to a home or its contents or for any taxes, fees, assessments or other charges of any kind relating to the abandoned mobile home unless it is proven that the home removed was not an abandoned home, in which case the community owner and his agent shall be liable for the loss incurred by the homeowner.

§ § 250.506 to 250.510. Repealed. 1978, April 28, P.L. 202, No. 53, § 2(a) [1271], effective June 27, 1980

§ 250.511. Remedy to recover possession by ejectment preserved

Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as abolishing the right of any landlord to recover possession of any real property from a tenant by action of ejectment, or from instituting any amicable action of ejectment to recover possession of any real property by confessing judgment in accordance with the terms of any written contract or agreement.

§ 250.511a. Escrow funds limited

(a) No landlord may require a sum in excess of two months' rent to be deposited in escrow for the payment of damages to the leasehold premises and/or default in rent thereof during the first year of any lease.

(b) During the second and subsequent years of the lease or during any renewal of the original lease the amount required to be deposited may not exceed one month's rent.

(c) If, during the third or subsequent year of a lease, or during any renewal after the expiration of two years of tenancy, the landlord requires the one month's rent escrow provided herein, upon termination of the lease, or on surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, the escrow funds together with interest shall be returned to the tenant in accordance with sections 511.2 and 512.

(d) Whenever a tenant has been in possession of premises for a period of five years or greater, any increase or increases in rent shall not require a concomitant increase in any security deposit.

(e) This section applies only to the rental of residential property.

(f) Any attempted waiver of this section by a tenant by contract or otherwise shall be void and unenforceable.

§ 250.511b. Interest on escrow funds held more than two years

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all funds over one hundred dollars ($ 100) deposited with a lessor to secure the execution of a rental agreement on residential property in accordance with section 511.1 and pursuant to any lease newly executed or reexecuted after the effective date of this act shall be deposited in an escrow account of an institution regulated by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Comptroller of the Currency, or the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. When any funds are deposited in any escrow account, interest-bearing or noninterest-bearing, the lessor shall thereupon notify in writing each of the tenants making any such deposit, giving the name and address of the banking institution in which such deposits are held, and the amount of such deposits.

(b) Whenever any money is required to be deposited in an interest-bearing escrow savings account, in accordance with section 511.1, then the lessor shall be entitled to receive as administrative expenses, a sum equivalent to one per cent per annum upon the security money so deposited, which shall be in lieu of all other administrative and custodial expenses. The balance of the interest paid shall be the money of the tenant making the deposit and will be paid to said tenant annually upon the anniversary date of the commencement of his lease.

§ 250.511c. Bond in lieu of escrowing

Every landlord subject to the provisions of this act may, in lieu of depositing escrow funds, guarantee that any escrow funds, less cost of necessary repairs, including interest thereon, shall be returned to the tenant upon termination of the lease, or on surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises. The guarantee of repayment of said escrow funds shall be secured by a good and sufficient guarantee bond issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania.

§ 250.512. Recovery of improperly held escrow funds

(a) Every landlord shall within thirty days of termination of a lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs, provide a tenant with a written list of any damages to the leasehold premises for which the landlord claims the tenant is liable. Delivery of the list shall be accompanied by payment of the difference between any sum deposited in escrow, including any unpaid interest thereon, for the payment of damages to the leasehold premises and the actual amount of damages to the leasehold premises caused by the tenant. Nothing in this section shall preclude the landlord from refusing to return the escrow fund, including any unpaid interest thereon, for nonpayment of rent or for the breach of any other condition in the lease by the tenant.

(b) Any landlord who fails to provide a written list within thirty days as required in subsection (a), above, shall forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of sums held in escrow, including any unpaid interest thereon, or to bring suit against the tenant for damages to the leasehold premises.

(c) If the landlord fails to pay the tenant the difference between the sum deposited, including any unpaid interest thereon, and the actual damages to the leasehold premises caused by the tenant within thirty days after termination of the lease or surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, the landlord shall be liable in assumpsit to double the amount by which the sum deposited in escrow, including any unpaid interest thereon, exceeds the actual damages to the leasehold premises caused by the tenant as determined by any court of record or court not of record having jurisdiction in civil actions at law. The burden of proof of actual damages caused by the tenant to the leasehold premises shall be on the landlord.

(d) Any attempted waiver of this section by a tenant by contract or otherwise shall be void and unenforceable.

(e) Failure of the tenant to provide the landlord with his new address in writing upon termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises shall relieve the landlord from any liability under this section.

(f) This section shall apply only to residential leaseholds and not to commercial leaseholds.

§ 250.513. Appeal by tenant to common pleas court

(a) Every tenant who files an appeal to a court of common pleas of a judgment of the lower court involving an action under this act for the recovery of possession of real property or for rent due shall deposit with the prothonotary a sum equal to the amount of rent due as determined by the lower court. This sum representing the rent due or in question shall be placed in a special escrow account by the prothonotary. The prothonotary shall only dispose of these funds by order of court.

(b) Within ten days after the rendition of judgment by a lower court arising out of residential lease or within thirty days after a judgment by a lower court arising out of a nonresidential lease or a residential lease involving a victim of domestic violence, either party may appeal to the court of common pleas, and the appeal by the tenant shall operate as a supersedeas only if the tenant pays in cash or bond the amount of any judgment rendered by the lower court or is a victim of domestic violence and pays in cash any rent which becomes due during the court of common pleas proceedings within ten days after the date each payment is due into an escrow account with the prothonotary or the supersedeas shall be summarily terminated.

(c) Upon application by the landlord, the court shall release appropriate sums from the escrow account on a continuing basis while the appeal is pending to compensate the landlord for the tenant's actual possession and use of the premises during the pendency of the appeal.

(d) Upon application by the tenant, the court shall release appropriate sums from the escrow account on a continuing basis while the appeal is pending to directly compensate those providers of habitable services which the landlord is required to provide under law or under the lease.

(e) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"LOWER COURT." District justice, magistrate or any other court having jurisdiction over landlord and tenant matters, excluding a court of common pleas.

"VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE." A person who has obtained a protection from abuse order against another individual or can provide other suitable evidence as the court shall direct.

Article V-A.

Tenement Buildings and Multiple Dwelling Premises.

§ 250.501-A. Definitions

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise indicates:

(1) "TENEMENT BUILDING" any house or building, or portion thereof, which is intended or designed to be occupied or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as a home or residence for three or more households living in separate apartments, and doing their cooking upon the premises.

(2) "APARTMENT" a room or suite of two or more rooms, occupied or leased for occupation, or intended or designed to be occupied, as a domicile.

(3) "MULTIPLE DWELLING PREMISES" any area occupied by dwelling units, appurtenances thereto, grounds and facilities which dwelling units are intended or designed to be occupied or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as individual homes or residences for three or more households. "Multiple dwelling premises" shall include, inter alia, mobile home parks.

§ 250.502-A. Landlord’s Duties

The retention of control of the stairways, passages, roadway, and other common facilities of a tenement building or multiple dwelling premises places upon the landlord, or other possessor, the duty of reasonable care for safety in use. This responsibility of the landlord extends not alone to the individual tenant, but also to his family, servants and employees, business visitors, social guests, and the like. Those who enter in the right of the tenant, even though under his mere license, make a permissible use of the premises for which the common ways and facilities are provided.

§ 250.503-A. Tenant's duties

The tenant shall comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of all municipal, county and Commonwealth codes, regulations, ordinances, and statutes, and in particular, shall:

(1) Not permit any person on the premises with his permission to wilfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit, or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances thereto or used in common, nor himself do any such thing.

(2) Not permit any person on the premises with his permission to wilfully or wantonly disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants and neighbors.

§ 250.504-A. Tenant's rights

The tenant shall have a right to invite to his apartment or dwelling unit such employees, business visitors, tradesmen, deliverymen, suppliers of goods and services, and the like as he wishes so long as his obligations as a tenant under this article are observed. The tenant also shall have right to invite to his apartment or dwelling unit, for a reasonable period of time, such social guest, family or visitors as he wishes so long as his obligations as a tenant under this article are observed. These rights may not be waived by any provisions of a written rental agreement and the landlord and/or owner may not charge any fee, service charge or additional rent to the tenant for exercising his rights under this act.

It is the intent of this article to insure that the landlord may in no way restrict the tenant's right to purchase goods, services and the like from a source of the tenant's choosing and as a consequence any provision in a written agreement attempting to limit this right shall be void and unenforceable in the courts of this Commonwealth.

§ 250.505-A. Use of illegal drugs

(a) The following acts relating to illegal drugs shall be a breach of condition of the lease and shall be grounds for removal of the tenant from a single-family dwelling, apartment, multiple dwelling premises or tenement building:

(1) The first conviction for an illegal sale, manufacture or distribution of any drug in violation of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," on a single-family dwelling or any portion of the multiple dwelling premises or tenement;

(2) The second violation of any of the provisions of "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act" on a single-family dwelling or any portion of the multiple dwelling premises or tenement;

(3) The seizure by law enforcement officials of any illegal drugs on the leased premises in the single-family dwelling or multiple dwelling premises or tenement.

(b) Failure to remove any tenant for violation of any of the provisions of subsection (a) shall not act as a waiver of the landlord's rights with regard to the same or any other tenant relating to any subsequent acts.

Article V-B.

Tenants’ Rights to Cable Television.

§ 250.501-B. Definitions

As used in this article--

(1) "CATV SYSTEM" or "CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM" shall include a system or facility or part thereof which consists of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, amplification and control equipment which is operated or intended to be operated to perform the service of receiving and amplifying and distributing and redistributing signals broadcast or transmitted by one or more television or radio stations or information distribution service companies, including, but not limited to, the cable communications system owner, operator or manager itself, to subscribers. The term shall include the service of distributing any video, audio, digital, light or audio-video signals whether broadcast or otherwise.

(2) "HOLDING A FRANCHISE" shall include obtaining municipal consent to or approval of the construction or operation of a CATV system and the rendering of CATV services whether granted by resolution, ordinance or written agreement. The term shall include a person who has constructed and is operating a CATV system within the public right-of-way of a municipality which, at the time of construction and initial operation of such CATV system, did not require that municipal consent be obtained.

(3) "LANDLORD" shall include an individual or entity owning, controlling, leasing, operating or managing multiple dwelling premises.

(4) "MULTIPLE DWELLING PREMISES" shall include any area occupied by dwelling units, appurtenances thereto, grounds and facilities, which dwelling units are intended or designed to be occupied or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as individual homes or residences for three or more households. The term shall include mobile home parks.

(5) "OPERATOR" shall include the operator of a CATV system holding a franchise granted by the municipality or municipalities in which the multiple dwelling premises to be served is located.

§ 250.502-B. Tenants protected

A landlord may not discriminate in rental or other charges between tenants who subscribe to the services of a CATV system and those who do not. The landlord may, however, require reasonable compensation in exchange for a permanent taking of his property resulting from the installation of CATV system facilities within and upon his multiple dwelling premises, to be paid by an operator. The compensation shall be determined in accordance with this article.

§ 250.503-B. Tenants' rights

The tenant has the right to request and receive CATV services from an operator or a landlord provided that there has been an agreement between a landlord and an operator through the negotiation process outlined in section 504-B or through a ruling of an arbitrator as provided for in this article. A landlord may not prohibit or otherwise prevent a tenant from requesting or acquiring CATV services from an operator of the tenant's choice provided that there has been an agreement between a landlord and an operator through the negotiation process outlined in section 504-B or through a ruling of an arbitrator as provided for in this article. A landlord may not prevent an operator from entering such premises for the purposes of constructing, reconstructing, installing, servicing or repairing CATV system facilities or maintaining CATV services if a tenant of a multiple dwelling premises has requested such CATV services and if the operator complies with this article. The operator shall retain ownership of all wiring and equipment used in any installation or upgrade of a CATV system in multiple dwelling premises. An operator shall not provide CATV service to an individual dwelling unit unless permission has been given by or received from the tenant occupying the unit.

§ 250.504-B. Right to render services; notice

If a tenant of a multiple dwelling premises requests an operator to provide CATV services and if the operator decides that it will provide such services, the operator shall so notify the landlord in writing within ten days after the operator decides to provide such service. If the operator fails to provide such notice, then the tenant's request shall be terminated. If the operator agrees to provide said CATV services, then a forty-five day period of negotiation between the landlord and the operator shall be commenced. This original notice shall state as follows: "The landlord, tenants and operators have rights granted under Article V-B of the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L. 69, No. 20), known as 'The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.' " The original notice shall be accompanied by a proposal outlining the nature of the work to be performed and including an offer of compensation for loss in value of property given in exchange for the permanent installation of CATV system facilities. The proposal also shall include a statement that the operator is liable to the landlord for any physical damage, shall set forth the means by which the operator will comply with the installation requirements of the landlord pursuant to section 505-B and shall state the time period for installation and security to be provided. The landlord may waive his right to security at any time in the negotiation process.

During the forty-five day period, the landlord and the operator will attempt to reach an agreement concerning the terms upon which CATV services shall be provided. If, within the forty-five day period or at any time thereafter, the proposal results in an agreement between the landlord and the operator, CATV services shall be provided in accordance with the agreement. If, at the end of the forty-five day period, the proposal does not result in an agreement between the landlord and the operator, then this article shall apply. The right of a tenant to receive CATV service from an operator of his choice may not be delayed beyond the forty-five day period contained in the original notice or otherwise impaired unless the matter proceeds to arbitration or court as provided in this article. An operator may bring a civil action to enforce the right of CATV services installation given under this article.

§ 250.505-B. Compensation for physical damage

An operator shall be liable to the landlord for any physical damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of CATV system facilities. A landlord may require that the installation of cable television facilities conform to such reasonable conditions as are necessary to protect the safety, functioning and appearance of the premises and the convenience and well-being of tenants. A landlord may also require that the installation of cable television facilities conforms to reasonable requirements as to the location of main cable connections to the premises, the routing of cable lines through the premises and the overall appearance of the finished installation. To the extent possible, the location of the entry of a main cable connection to the premises shall be made at the same location as the entry into the premises of public utility connections. A second or subsequent installation of cable television facilities, if any, shall conform to such reasonable requirements in such a way as to minimize further physical intrusion to or through the premises.

§ 250.506-B. Compensation for loss of value

(a) A landlord shall be entitled to just compensation from the operator resulting from loss in value of property resulting from the permanent installation of CATV system facilities on the premises.

(b) If a landlord believes that the loss in value of the property exceeds the compensation contained in the proposal accompanying the original notice or believes that the terms involving the work to be performed contained in the proposal are unreasonable, or both, the issue of just compensation or reasonableness of terms shall be determined in accordance with the following procedure:

(1) At any time prior to the end of the forty-five day period from the date when the landlord receives the original notice that the operator intends to construct or install a CATV system facility in multiple dwelling premises, the landlord shall serve upon the operator written notice that the landlord demands a greater amount of compensation or believes that the terms involving the work to be performed are unreasonable.

(2) If the operator is dissatisfied with the result of the negotiations at the conclusion of the forty-five day negotiation period, then he shall notify the landlord of the terms which the operator believes to be unreasonable and shall accompany this notice with a formal request for arbitration.

(3) Arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration Association or any successor thereto. The proceedings shall be held in the county in which the multiple dwelling premises or part thereof are located. Requirements of this act relating to time, presumptions and compensation for loss of value shall apply in the proceedings. The cost of the proceedings shall be shared equally by the landlord and the operator. The arbitration proceedings, once commenced, shall be concluded and a written decision by the arbitrator shall be rendered within fourteen days of commencement. Judgment upon any award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

(4) Within thirty days of the date of the notice of the decision of the arbitrators, either party may appeal the decision of the arbitrators in a court of common pleas, regarding the amount awarded as compensation for loss of value or for physical damages to the property. During the pendency of an appeal, the operator may not enter the multiple dwelling premises to provide CATV services, except as to those units that have existing CATV services. The court shall order each party to pay one-half of the arbitration costs.

(c) In determining reasonable compensation, evidence that a landlord has a specific alternative use for the space occupied or to be occupied by CATV system facilities, the loss of which will result in a monetary loss to the owner, or that installation of CATV system facilities upon such multiple dwelling premises will otherwise substantially interfere with the use and occupancy of such premises to an extent which causes a decrease in the resale or rental value thereof shall be considered. In determining the damages to any landlord in an action under this section, compensation shall be measured by the loss in value of the landlord's property. An amount representing increase in value of the property occurring by reason of the installation of CATV system facilities shall be deducted from the compensation.

(d) The time periods set forth in this section may be extended by mutual agreement between the landlord and the operator.

§ 250.507-B. Venue

The court of common pleas of the county in which the multiple dwelling premises or part thereof is located shall have venue of all actions to enforce the provisions of this article or to hear any appeal from the award of arbitrators or any dispute between the parties.

§ 250.508-B. Alternative service

Nothing in this act shall preclude a landlord from offering alternative CATV services to tenants provided that the provisions of this article are not violated.

§ 250.509-B. Compliance with requirements for historical buildings

The operator shall comply with all Federal, State or local statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances with respect to buildings located in historical districts.

§ 250.510-B. Existing CATV services protected

CATV services being provided to tenants in multiple dwelling premises on the effective date of this act may not be prohibited or otherwise prevented so long as the tenant in an individual dwelling unit continues to request such services.

68 P.S. §§250.101 – 250.510-B

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article V-B