Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement

Not a blank template - your details are filled in, formatted to Pennsylvania law, and ready to sign.

Draft a legally compliant Sublease Agreement for Pennsylvania that covers all required disclosures and clauses under Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law. Fill in your details and download your completed, ready-to-sign Sublease Agreement as a professional PDF for $7.99.

Pennsylvania law requires specific provisions in rental agreements that secures both rental property owner and occupant. Security deposits are capped at 2 months rent (during first year of tenancy); 1 month rent (during second and subsequent years) and must be returned within 30 days. Pennsylvania requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Pennsylvania requires 7 specific disclosures in lease agreements.

Pennsylvania Lease Requirements

Security Deposit Limit 2 months rent (during first year of tenancy); 1 month rent (during second and subsequent years)

Deposit Return Deadline 30 days

Deposit Interest Required Yes - For buildings with 25 or more units, after the second year of tenancy, the landlord must hold the security deposit in an interest-bearing escrow account in a bank or savings institution and pay interest annually to the tenant (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511a). The landlord may retain 1% per year as an administrative fee. Buildings with fewer than 25 units are not required to pay interest.

Late Fee Cap No statutory cap

Grace Period No statutory grace period

Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month) 15 days 30 days notice is required if the original lease term was more than one year; 15 days applies to leases of one year or less or of indeterminate time, including month-to-month (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.501(b)).

Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days

Entry Notice No specific statutory requirement; reasonable advance notice is implied

Key Statute Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101 to 250.602

Required Disclosures Lead-based paint disclosure (federal law, pre-1978 housing); Bed bug disclosure, landlord must disclose any known current bed bug infestation and the date the most recent pest inspection was conducted (35 Pa. Stat. § 1700-2, Philadelphia; some municipalities); Owner or agent name and address for receiving notices (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512); Utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays any portion of shared utilities; Move-in condition checklist, tenant may request written condition statement; strongly recommended to protect deposit; Disclosure of known material defects affecting health or safety; Philadelphia-specific: Certificate of Rental Suitability and Partners for Good Housing brochure required for all Philadelphia rentals; landlord must have valid rental license

Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement Checklist

Print this or save it as a PDF to use when preparing and signing the agreement.

Before you sign

Both parties read the entire agreement before signing.
Obtain written consent from the original landlord before subleasing.
Review the original lease to confirm subleasing is permitted.
Confirm the move-in date and key handover arrangements.
Verify the security deposit amount and accepted payment method.

Pennsylvania rules to know

Security deposit is capped at 2 months rent (during first year of tenancy); 1 month rent (during second and subsequent years) in Pennsylvania.
Landlord must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out.
Pennsylvania requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
Landlord must give No specific statutory requirement; reasonable advance notice is implied before entering the unit.
To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 15 days written notice.
To end a month-to-month tenancy, the tenant must give 30 days written notice.
Required disclosures: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal law, pre-1978 housing); Bed bug disclosure, landlord must disclose any known current bed bug infestation and the date the most recent pest inspection was conducted (35 Pa. Stat. § 1700-2, Philadelphia; some municipalities); Owner or agent name and address for receiving notices (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.512); Utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays any portion of shared utilities.

In the agreement itself

Full legal names of all landlords and tenants.
Complete property address, including unit number.
Lease term: start date, end date.
Monthly rent amount and the due date.
Security deposit amount and the conditions for deductions.
Reference to the original lease and its expiration date.
Confirmation of landlord consent to the sublease.
Late fee amount and the grace period, if any.
Pet policy, smoking policy, and guest policy.
Utility responsibilities (which party pays each utility).
Signatures of all parties.

Both parties should keep a signed copy. Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law governs this agreement (Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 Pa. C.S. §§ 250.101 to 250.602).

What to Include in a Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement

Every Sublease Agreement in Pennsylvania should include the following vital provisions: identification of the landlord and tenant, a complete description of the rental property, the lease term and rent amount, security deposit terms including the amount and return deadline (30 days in Pennsylvania), late fee policies that comply with state limits, utility responsibilities, rules regarding pets, smoking, and occupancy limits, maintenance and repair obligations, right of entry provisions, termination and renewal terms, and all state-required disclosures.

Pennsylvania law requires landlords to disclose lead-based paint disclosure, bed bug disclosure, landlord must disclose any known current bed bug infestation and the date the most recent pest inspection was conducted, owner or agent name and address for receiving notices, utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays any portion of shared utilities, move-in condition checklist, tenant may request written condition statement; strongly recommended to protect deposit. Security deposit in excess of $100 must be deposited into an escrow account in a federally or state-chartered institution within 10 days of receipt (68 Pa. C.S. § 250.511a).

How to Complete a Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement

To complete a Sublease Agreement in Pennsylvania, start by gathering the necessary information: full legal names and addresses of all parties, the complete property address, the agreed-upon rent amount and payment terms, and the security deposit amount (limited to 2 months rent (during first year of tenancy); 1 month rent (during second and subsequent years) in Pennsylvania). You will also need to decide on house rules such as pet policies, smoking restrictions, and quiet hours.

Our platform walks you through each section with a guided form that only shows fields required for Pennsylvania. Once you have filled in all details, you can preview the document, choose from five professional document styles, and download your completed Sublease Agreement as a PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, security deposits are capped at 2 months rent (during first year of tenancy); 1 month rent (during second and subsequent years). Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days after move-out, minus lawful deductions for unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear. Pennsylvania also requires landlords to pay interest on deposits.

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania has no statutory cap on late fees, but they must be reasonable. Late fee terms must be clearly stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires landlords to give No specific statutory requirement; reasonable advance notice is implied before entering a rental unit for non-emergency purposes. Entry without proper notice may violate tenant rights under Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law. Emergency situations such as fire or flood allow immediate entry without advance notice.

Do you need your landlord's permission to sublease in Pennsylvania?

In most cases, yes. Most leases in Pennsylvania require written landlord consent before subleasing. Subleasing without permission can be grounds for eviction. The original tenant (sublessor) remains liable to the landlord for rent and damages even after subleasing - the subtenant's obligations run to the sublessor, not directly to the landlord.

What is the difference between a sublease and an assignment in Pennsylvania?

In a sublease, the original tenant retains some interest in the lease (e.g., they plan to return) and a new person moves in temporarily. In a lease assignment, the original tenant transfers all rights and obligations to a new tenant permanently. Both typically require landlord approval in Pennsylvania. A sublease agreement protects the original tenant if the subtenant fails to pay rent or damages the property.

Is a written lease agreement required in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does not require written leases for all tenancies, but oral agreements are harder to enforce and provide less protection. Written leases are required for tenancies exceeding one year under the Statute of Frauds. A written Sublease Agreement clearly documents rent, security deposit terms, house rules, and each party's obligations - reducing disputes significantly.

How does Pennsylvania handle security deposit limits?

Pennsylvania caps security deposits at 2 months' rent for the first year of tenancy and 1 month's rent for subsequent years. After 5 years, the landlord must return any amount above 1 month's rent, even without the tenant moving out. Deposits earning interest must credit it to the tenant annually after the second year. Deposits must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement. Pennsylvania has no statewide rent control.

Ready to Create Your Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement?

State-specific clauses, required disclosures, and professional formatting included. Download your PDF instantly.

Create Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement - $7.99

State-specific clauses Required disclosures included Instant PDF download