PA Security Deposit Law (lease, month to, landlord)

[Phyos]

Question - I read PA law says a landlord must not hold more than 1 month's security deposit entering the 2nd year of a lease.

So if I paid 2 months as security deposit (NOT the typical 1 month security/last month) would that mean the landlord would have to have refunded 1 month's deposit to me during the 2nd year?

Been renting at the same place for 5 years, 2nd year the lease started month to month.

[sj08054]

On the same lease, you were supposed to get one month of your security deposit back after the first year. Lots of LL don't know the law or care.


Ask your LL and see how s/he respond.

[Phyos]

Originally Posted by sj08054

On the same lease, you were supposed to get one month of your security deposit back after the first year. Lots of LL don't know the law or care.


Ask your LL and see how s/he respond.

Does the 30 day or 2x your cash back law still count in this scenario? Or is that only when you move out?

[sj08054]

Originally Posted by Phyos

Does the 30 day or 2x your cash back law still count in this scenario? Or is that only when you move out?

No.. that's for moving out. The LL may have kept the 2nd month of the security as an oversight or may do so not being aware of the PA law. Some LL get around this by doing a new lease every year.


Again, you can ask LL for return of 2nd month deposit since you have been there 5 years. The PA laws with Security Deposit would even have LL pay you interests after 2nd year but most smaller LL don't even follow that rules (especially with the low interests these days).


If you push the issue real hard with getting your 2nd month back, consider whether you want to stay at your current place or not. If the request creates tensions, you may end up getting a 30 days notice. What can cause tension? Simply bring up about 30 days or 2x your cash back.