Pennsylvania Eviction Laws

Eviction Laws

Reasons for Eviction in Pennsylvania

• Nonpayment of rent
• Lease violations
• End of lease
• Illegal drug activity

Notice to Vacate

Landlords must provide:

• A 10-day notice to quit for illegal drug activity
• Five-day notice to quit for the end of a lease if the tenant has lived in the unit for less than one year
  • Tenants who have lived in the unit for more than one year must receive a 30-day notice to quit

Notice to Comply

Landlords must deliver:

• A 10-day notice to comply or quit for nonpayment of rent
• A 15-day notice to quit for lease violations (if the tenant has lived there for less than one year)
• A 30-day notice to quit for lease violations (if the tenant has lived there for more than one year)

While you aren’t legally required to offer tenants a chance to remedy, it is customary.

Serving the Tenant

There are different requirements depending on what you’re serving:

• Notices to quit or comply can be served by handing the notice to the tenant or posting it at a conspicuous place on the premises.
• Eviction Summons and Complaints must be handed to the tenant, mailed (we recommend first-class mailing), or posted in a conspicuous place on the premises by the Sheriff or a private process server.

Tenant Possessions

Landlords are required to provide tenants with a 10-day written notice to retrieve their personal property. Service by mail to their last-known address is allowed.

If the tenant contacts their former landlord about their personal belongings,the landlord is required to hold it for 30 days. After 30 days, all unclaimed property can be thrown out or sold. Any sale proceeds above and beyond what is owed to the landlord must be surrendered to the state treasurer.

Eviction Timeline

Below you’ll learn the average timeline for a complete eviction in Pennsylvania. This projected timeline could change based on the complexities of your specific case.

Typically, it takes anywhere between 30-60 days for the Pennsylvania eviction process.