Free Pennsylvania Rental Lease Agreement


Sample Pennsylvania Rental Lease Agreement

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS RESIDENTIAL LEASE (the "Lease") dated this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

BETWEEN:

_______________

(the "Landlord")

- AND-

_______________

(the "Tenant")

(individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties")

IN CONSIDERATION OF the Landlord leasing certain premises to the Tenant and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

    Leased Property

  1. The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the house, municipally described as ______________________, ______________________, Pennsylvania, ______________________ (the "Property"), for use as residential premises only.
  2. No guests of the Tenants may occupy the Property for longer than one week without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
  3. Term

  4. The term of the Lease is a periodic commencing at 12:00 noon on _____________of _____________, 20___ and continuing on a month-to-month basis until the Landlord or the Tenant terminates the tenancy.
  5. Rent

  6. Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the rent for the Property is $_____________ per week (the "Rent").
  7. The Tenant will pay the Rent weekly, on or before ______________ of each and every week of the term of this Lease to the Landlord at ______________________, ______________________, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ______________________ or at such other place as the Landlord may later designate by Cash.
  8. Tenant Improvements

  9. The Tenant will obtain written permission from the Landlord before doing any of the following:
    1. applying adhesive materials, or inserting nails or hooks in walls or ceilings other than two small picture hooks per wall;
    2. painting, wallpapering, redecorating or in any way significantly altering the appearance of the Property;
    3. removing or adding walls, or performing any structural alterations;
    4. installing a waterbed(s);
    5. changing the amount of heat or power normally used on the Property as well as installing additional electrical wiring or heating units;
    6. placing or exposing or allowing to be placed or exposed anywhere inside or outside the Property any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose; or
    7. affixing to or erecting upon or near the Property any radio or TV antenna or tower.
  10. Insurance

  11. The Tenant is hereby advised and understands that the personal property of the Tenant is not insured by the Landlord for either damage or loss, and the Landlord assumes no liability for any such loss.
  12. Attorney Fees

  13. In the event that any action is filed in relation to this Lease, the unsuccessful Party in the action will pay to the successful Party, in addition to all the sums that either Party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful Party's attorney fees.
  14. Governing Law

  15. This Lease will be construed in accordance with and exclusively governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  16. Severability

  17. If there is a conflict between any provision of this Lease and the applicable legislation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the "Act"), the Act will prevail and such provisions of the Lease will be amended or deleted as necessary in order to comply with the Act. Further, any provisions that are required by the Act are incorporated into this Lease.
  18. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Lease will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Lease.  Such other provisions remain in full force and effect.
  19. Amendment of Lease

  20. This Lease may only be amended or modified by a written document executed by the Parties.
  21. Damage to Property

  22. If the Property should be damaged other than by the Tenant's negligence or willful act or that of the Tenant's employee, family, agent, or visitor and the Landlord decides not to rebuild or repair the Property, the Landlord may end this Lease by giving appropriate notice.
  23. Care and Use of Property

  24. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord of any damage, or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Property or to any furnishings supplied by the Landlord.
  25. The Tenant will not engage in any illegal trade or activity on or about the Property.
  26. The Parties will comply with standards of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety as required by law.
  27. The Parties will use reasonable efforts to maintain the Property in such a condition as to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord in writing of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the Tenant. The Landlord will promptly respond to any such written notices from the Tenant.
  28. If the Tenant is absent from the Property and the Property is unoccupied for a period of 4 consecutive days or longer, the Tenant will arrange for regular inspection by a competent person. The Landlord will be notified in advance as to the name, address and phone number of the person doing the inspections.
  29. At the expiration of the term of this Lease, the Tenant will quit and surrender the Property in as good a state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Lease, reasonable use and wear and tear excepted.
  30. Rules and Regulations

  31. The Tenant will obey all rules and regulations of the Landlord regarding the Property.
  32. Address for Notice

  33. For any matter relating to this tenancy, the Tenant may be contacted at the Property or through the phone number below. After this tenancy has been terminated, the contact information of the Tenant is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Phone: ______________________
  34. For any matter relating to this tenancy, whether during or after this tenancy has been terminated, the Landlord's address for notice is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Address: ______________________, ______________________, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ______________________

      The contact information for the Landlord is:

    3. Phone: ______________________
  35. General Provisions

  36. All monetary amounts stated or referred to in this Lease are based in the United States dollar.
  37. Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord's rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord's rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.
  38. This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each Party. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.
  39. All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be additional rent and will be recovered by the Landlord as rental arrears.
  40. Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other's acts, omissions and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.
  41. Locks may not be added or changed without the prior written agreement of both Parties, or unless the changes are made in compliance with the Act.
  42. The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $25.00 for each N.S.F. check or checks returned by the Tenant's financial institution.
  43. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine mean and include the feminine and vice versa.
  44. This Lease may be executed in counterparts. Facsimile signatures are binding and are considered to be original signatures.
  45. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
  46. During the last 30 days of this Lease, the Landlord or the Landlord's agents will have the privilege of displaying the usual 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' or 'Vacancy' signs on the Property.
  47. Time is of the essence in this Lease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF _______________ and _______________ have duly affixed their signatures on this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

_________________________________
Landlord: _______________

  _________________________________
Tenant: _______________

The Tenant acknowledges receiving a duplicate copy of this Lease signed by the Tenant and the Landlord on the _____ day of ______________________, 20____.

_________________________________
Tenant: _______________

   

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Pennsylvania, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has NO knowledge of any lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports relating to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of:

  1. the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including the above-mentioned reports and records; and
  2. the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (EPA-747-K-99-001) or an equivalent pamphlet that has been approved for use in the state by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

The pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home can be ordered in hard copy or can be printed from the website http://www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-your-home.


Asbestos Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Pennsylvania, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has investigated and there is no asbestos in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports with respect to asbestos in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including any reports and records.

Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

Pennsylvania Rental Lease Agreement

Do you know your responsibilities and rights, as well as the general rental laws that apply to residential rental units in Pennsylvania? As you look for that free Pennsylvania rental lease agreement form, make sure you know what to expect and what is expected of you.

  • The Official Rules and Regulations

    • The Landlord and Tenant Act - 68 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 250.101 – 250.602

    • Amendment to Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 - Act of Jul. 5, 2012, P.L. 1091, No. 129

    • Real and Personal Property - Title 68

    • University of Pittsburgh - Tenant’s Rights

  • Security Deposit

    • The state of Pennsylvania has set the security deposit maximum to 2 month’s worth of rent the first year and 1 month’s rent in subsequent years.

    • The deadline for returning the security deposit is 30 days following the termination of the lease or after the surrender of the premises

    • The security deposit interest goes to the tenant after the second anniversary of giving the deposit. However, the landlord gets the money for the administrative expenses which is one percent annually, upon the security money deposited.

    • Holding a separate deposit bank account is a requirement. It applies to funds held for more than 2 years and above $100 held in an escrow account regulated by the federal government or the state. The landlord should notify tenants in writing the name and the addresses of the banking institution where the deposit is held

    • The state of Pennsylvania has no statutes for nonrefundable fees, application fees, or non-refundable and additional fees.

    • The itemized list of move-out inspections with damages and charges should be issued within 30 days

    • No statute exists for record-keeping of deposit withholdings.

  • Noncompliance

    • If the landlord fails to comply by failing to provide a written list within 30 days, the landlord will have to forfeit their rights to withhold any portion of the deposit, as well as any unpaid interest thereon. The landlord will also lose the right of bringing suit against the tenant for damages to the premises.

    • Also, if the landlord fails to return the remaining deposit after withholding for 30 days, then the landlord will have to pay double the amount of the deposit, plus interest.

  • Rent, Lease, and Fees

    • In the Pennsylvania rental lease agreement, no statute exists for when rent is due, how to go about rent increase notices, rent grace period, prepaid rent, and late fees.

    • Charging of returned check fees is allowed, but it doesn’t exceed $50 unless the landlord is charged more than $50 by the financial institution upon which the landlord charges the actual amount of the fees.

    • The tenant can withhold rent if the landlord fails to provide essential services like heat and water. This also applies when a government agency deems the dwelling inhabitable. The tenant could deposit the rent into an escrow account instead of paying the landlord directly.

    • No statutes state whether or not the tenant can repair and deduct rent or if the landlord can recover court and attorney fees, or even if the landlord should make a reasonable attempt to mitigate any damages that result from the actions of the lessee.

    • In the event of abandonment of property, the landlord should notify the tenant of the personal property left behind. If the tenant contacts the landlord within 10 days, the landlord must allow the tenant 30 days to get their items. Otherwise, the landlord may dispose of the property.

  • Notices and Entry

    • The notice to terminate a tenancy for a lease that is a year or less, or even an indeterminate time, is 15 days.

    • To terminate a lease that is more than a year old, a 30-day notice is required

    • To terminate a monthly lease, a 15-day notice should be issues

    • No statute directs the issuance of notices for date and time of move-out inspections.

    • The notice of the termination of a lease for non-payment is 10 days, but no statutes give direction on what happens in case of termination of a lease for violation.

    • Notice of about 24 hours is recommended before entry

    • In the rental agreement, no statutes cover entry with notice for showings, the entry with notice for non-emergency repairs and maintenance works, entry during a tenant’s extended absence, or use of pesticides by landlords.

    • Like all the other states, lockouts and utility shut-offs are disallowed.

Miscellaneous Notes and Disclosures

This covers lead disclosures, retaliation, or domestic violence situations

Court and Legal Related Matters

The Pennsylvania Small Claims Court Limits’ set at $12,000 save for Philadelphia which doesn’t have a dollar limit for landlord-tenant cases. The courts allow eviction cases. The bar associations and the legal aid offer more help.

Business Licenses

State-wide statutes for business licenses are non-existent, but the local cities and the counties tend to have different requirements and regulations.

If you’d like to get a rental lease agreement in Pennsylvania freely and online, fill up the above steps.

Sample

PA Rental Lease Agreement

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