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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
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    Default Remedies When a Landlord Does Not Inform You Were Your Deposit is Being Held

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Pennsylvania

    First off, thanks in advance for your help. Currently, I'm in a less-than-ideal rental agreement in the city of pittsburgh. The landlord is continuously trying to use our security deposits to pay for things that we did not agree to, such as late fees they received for not paying our water bill on time. To clarify, the money for the water bill was paid with the rent on the first of the month. The water bill was due the 15th. They already had the money, but did not mail the check on time. This is just one example. We have been great tenants, keeping the property in good shape and always paying on time, but it seems they are going to do anything possible to keep our security deposit.

    That being said, I know that landlords in Pennsylvania are required to provide receipt for the security deposit that shows the escrow account where these funds are being held. Our landlord did not do this. Do we have any legal course of action against them for this? And are we liable for late fees that come from their irresponsibility?

    Thanks again!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Remedies When a Landlord Does Not Inform You Were Your Deposit is Being Held

    Quote Quoting phydeaux
    View Post
    I know that landlords in Pennsylvania are required to provide receipt for the security deposit that shows the escrow account where these funds are being held. Our landlord did not do this. Do we have any legal course of action against them for this? And are we liable for late fees that come from their irresponsibility?
    The escrow requirement statute only applies if your tenancy lasts more than two years.

    See Section 250.511b of the landlord-tenant act:

    https://www.thelpa.com/PA_landlord_tenant_act.pdf

    Unfortunately, even if your tenancy already exceeds two years, there doesn't seem to be any penalty for failure to comply with that section.

    But there is a penalty if the security deposit is wrongfully withheld after termination of tenancy.

    See Section 250.512.

    As for late charges, if your rent is paid on time (hope you get receipts) and the landlord incurs late charges because he doesn't pay his bills on time, all you should need to do is refuse to pay them.

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