Pennsylvania (PA) lease form
Pennsylvania residential leases are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. Section 250.101 et seq.), which sets baseline rules for lease formation, security deposit handling, and tenant protections. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania imposes few mandatory written disclosures at the state level, but several common lease clauses are void as a matter of law regardless of what the document says. Philadelphia and other municipalities add further local requirements on top of the state baseline.
Revun generates a Pennsylvania-ready lease with the required disclosures and clauses built in, then handles e-signature, rent, and renewals on the same platform.
For any dwelling built before 1978, landlords must provide the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home' and disclose all known lead hazards in writing before the tenant signs. Failure to comply exposes the landlord to federal civil and criminal liability under Title X, Section 1018.
When a security deposit is placed in an escrow account, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the name and address of the banking institution holding the funds and the deposit amount, as required by 68 P.S. Section 250.511a.
Philadelphia landlords must obtain a free Certificate of Rental Suitability from the city verifying the unit meets habitability and fire safety standards, and provide a copy to the tenant at lease signing along with a copy of the 'Good Landlordship' booklet.
Best practice under Pennsylvania law is to clearly identify in the lease which utilities the landlord supplies and which are the tenant's obligation; ambiguity can create implied landlord liability for utility costs.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Act No. 20 of 1951, 68 P.S. Sections 250.101 to 250.602. Confirm current requirements or consult an attorney before finalizing a lease.
Pennsylvania lease FAQ
No. Pennsylvania does not require a written lease for tenancies of less than three years; oral agreements are legally valid. However, a written lease is strongly recommended because it documents rent, responsibilities, and notice obligations, preventing disputes that are otherwise resolved by conflicting testimony.
At the state level, Pennsylvania mandates only the security deposit bank disclosure when deposits are escrowed. Federal law separately requires a lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet for all pre-1978 housing. Philadelphia adds a Certificate of Rental Suitability requirement.
No. **Confession of judgment clauses** in residential leases are void under Pennsylvania law. A landlord cannot include a provision that authorizes a court to enter judgment against a tenant without the tenant receiving notice and an opportunity to be heard.
For new leases, the maximum security deposit is two months' rent. After the first year of tenancy, the cap drops to one month's rent. No additional security deposit may be collected on renewals of leases that have been in effect for more than five years, per 68 P.S. Section 250.511a.
