SB 1216
An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to regulate residential rental application fees. It limits the amount a landlord can charge for an application fee to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50. The bill also outlines requirements for background checks and prohibits landlords from excluding all applicants based on criminal history, requiring an individualized assessment of the risk posed.
Key provisions
- Limits residential rental application fees to the cost of a background check or $50.
- Specifies the types of background checks allowed (criminal history and credit check).
- Prohibits landlords from excluding applicants solely based on criminal history.
- Requires landlords to conduct an individualized risk assessment when considering an applicant's criminal history.
- Defines factors to be considered in the risk assessment, including the nature of the offense, time elapsed since conviction, and sentence completion.
- States that any attempted waiver of the fee regulation is void.
- Excludes commercial and non-residential property from the fee regulations.
Who is affected
- Landlords
- Tenants
- Rental Property Owners
- Property Management Companies
Notable changes
- Establishes a maximum fee for residential rental application fees.
- Requires landlords to use application fees solely for background checks.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Judith Schwank
Cosponsors
Christine Tartaglione
Daniel Laughlin
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