Pennsylvania's rule on getting a security deposit back turns on a feature the national template does not capture: The cap is 2 months' rent during the first year of the lease; generally limited to 1 month thereafter for covered tenancies. The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the lease / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions. Interest: Yes after the second anniversary of the lease — interest must be paid on deposits over $100 held more than two years. The controlling authority is 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a to 250.512. Wrongful withholding can support double damages of the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: 2 months' rent during the first year of the lease; generally limited to 1 month thereafter for covered tenancies
- Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the lease / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest: Yes after the second anniversary of the lease — interest must be paid on deposits over $100 held more than two years.
- Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support double damages of the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
- Primary authority: 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a to 250.512.
Worked example under Pennsylvania law
The illustration below uses only rules already stated for Pennsylvania. It is a research hypothetical, not a prediction of what a court will do.
A residential tenant moves out of a Pennsylvania rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 2 months' rent during the first year of the lease; generally limited to 1 month thereafter for covered tenancies.
- Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the lease / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest, if any: Yes after the second anniversary of the lease — interest must be paid on deposits over $100 held more than two years.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support double damages of the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months’ rent initially (often one month after year one), requires interest after two years on covered deposits, and mandates return with itemization within 30 days. Magisterial district court handles many disputes.
Deposit limits in Pennsylvania
2 months' rent during the first year of the lease; generally limited to 1 month thereafter for covered tenancies
When the deposit must be returned
30 days after termination of the lease / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
Interest and accounting
Yes after the second anniversary of the lease — interest must be paid on deposits over $100 held more than two years.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Wrongful withholding can support double damages of the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months’ rent initially (often one month after year one), requires interest after two years on covered deposits, and mandates return with itemization within 30 days. Magisterial district court handles many disputes.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
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Case law: security deposits in Pennsylvania
CAMBRIA-STOLTZ ENTERPRISES and Camstol Corporation, Appellants, v. TNT INVESTMENTS, Appellee
…perties were virtually identical, though the amounts of the security deposits varied. TNT required a $700 deposit for the sandwich shop property and a $1,325 deposit for the café property. TNT, however, acknowledged in the leases that it waived the security deposits because of the vast improvements the Cambrias made to the properties. ¶ 4 The leases contained several provisions…
CAMBRIA-STOLTZ ENTERPRISES and Camstol Corporation, Appellants, v. TNT INVESTMENTS, Appellee is worth reading on Pennsylvania security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "TNT required a $700 deposit for the sandwich shop property and a $1,325 deposit for the café property. TNT, however, acknowledged in the leases that it waived the security deposits because of the vast improvements the Cambrias made to the properties." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
McEvilly Et Al. v. Tucci Et Al., Appellants
McEvilly Et Al. v. Tucci Et Al., Appellants, 239 Pa. Super. 474 (1976)
…ender of the premises and appellants had not returned their security deposit, they were entitled to damages in double the amount of their security deposit. See 68 P.S. §250.512. 1 Although appellees were aware of appellants’ address in New York State, 2 they served appellants as non-residents pursuant to Rule 2079, Pa.R.C.P. On October 18, 1974, because appellants had not filed…
Practitioners open McEvilly Et Al. v. Tucci Et Al., Appellants when Pennsylvania security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "See 68 P.S. §250.512. 1 Although appellees were aware of appellants’ address in New York State, 2 they served appellants as non-residents pursuant to Rule 2079, Pa.R.C.P." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
E.S. MANAGEMENT, Appellant v. YINGKAI GAO, Pingyuan Zheng, Fangyuan Cao and Xue Gao; Xue Gao v. E.S. Management
…ement. On Wednesday June 11, 2014 the Students had a $5,785 security deposit plus a $100 application fee wire transferred by Ying-kai Gao’s aunt, Xue Gao [ (“Aunt”) ], to E.S. Management to prevent the Apartment from being rented to others. The Students however could not agree among themselves on utility charges tFN:u hence on Friday June 13, 2014 the Students notified E.S. Man…
Pennsylvania opinions such as E.S. MANAGEMENT, Appellant v. YINGKAI GAO, Pingyuan Zheng, Fangyuan Cao and Xue Gao; Xue Gao v. E.S. Management are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "On Wednesday June 11, 2014 the Students had a $5,785 security deposit plus a $100 application fee wire transferred by Ying-kai Gao’s aunt, Xue Gao [ (“Aunt”) ], to E.S. Management to prevent the Apartment from being rented to others." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by Attorney General LeRoy S. Zimmerman v. National Apartment Leasing Company a/k/a NALCO
…ring that NALCO as landlord unlawfully retains its tenants’ security deposits, seeks an injunction which (1) enjoins NALCO from violating The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (Landlord Tenant Act), Act of April 6, 1951, P.L. 69, as amended, 68 P.S. §§250.101— 250.602; (2) enjoins NALCO from violating the Consumer Protection Law; and (3) enjoins NALCO from retaining any security…
On security deposits, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by Attorney General LeRoy S. Zimmerman v. National Apartment Leasing Company a/k/a NALCO speaks to the Pennsylvania dispute in this passage: "NALCO as landlord unlawfully retains its tenants’ security deposits, seeks an injunction which (1) enjoins NALCO from violating The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (Landlord Tenant Act), Act of April 6, 1951, P.L. 69, as amended, 68 P.S. §§250.101— 250." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Carol BURR, Appellee, v. Darrell CALLWOOD and Cheryl Callwood, Appellants
Carol BURR, Appellee, v. Darrell CALLWOOD and Cheryl Callwood, Appellants, 374 Pa. Super. 502 (1988)
…ity. In a counterclaim, Tenants sought return of double the security deposit, in accordance with 68 P.S. § 250.512. 1 On May 18, 1987, Landlord filed a motion for summary judgment on the complaint and the counterclaim. The motion alleged that Tenants were collaterally estopped from presenting a breach of implied warranty of habitability claim, since the issue was previously det…
Practitioners open Carol BURR, Appellee, v. Darrell CALLWOOD and Cheryl Callwood, Appellants when Pennsylvania security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "In a counterclaim, Tenants sought return of double the security deposit, in accordance with 68 P.S. § 250.512. 1 On May 18, 1987, Landlord filed a motion for summary judgment on the complaint and the counterclaim." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
WEST CHESTER PLAZA ASSOCIATES v. the CHESTER ENGINEERS, Appellant
WEST CHESTER PLAZA ASSOCIATES v. the CHESTER ENGINEERS, Appellant, 319 Pa. Super. 196 (1983)
…e limited purpose of “a determination of the amounts of the security deposit retained by [appellee] and the sum to be credited to [appellant] as a result of the reletting of the leasehold premises.” (footnote omitted). Appellant now appeals. In this appeal, appellant basically renews his arguments from below. In reply, appellee contends, inter alia, that appellant waived the is…
On security deposits, WEST CHESTER PLAZA ASSOCIATES v. the CHESTER ENGINEERS, Appellant speaks to the Pennsylvania dispute in this passage: "Appellant now appeals. In this appeal, appellant basically renews his arguments from below." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
METRO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC, Appellee v. Deandre BEMBRY, Appellant
METRO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC, Appellee v. Deandre BEMBRY, Appellant, 207 A.3d 336 (2019)
…en notice was given. The lease agreement required a $ 3,000 security deposit and monthly rent of $ 1,500. [Lessees] were responsible to pay for gas, electricity, water, and any fines related to snow or trash removal. In March 2016, [Lessees] stopped paying the water bill and rent. On May 4, 2016, [Metro] issued a letter detailing [Lessees'] breach of the lease agreement. On May…
METRO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC, Appellee v. Deandre BEMBRY, Appellant is worth reading on Pennsylvania security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "The lease agreement required a $ 3,000 security deposit and monthly rent of $ 1,500. [Lessees] were responsible to pay for gas, electricity, water, and any fines related to snow or trash removal. In March 2016, [Lessees] stopped paying the water bill and rent." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Pennsylvania?
2 months' rent during the first year of the lease; generally limited to 1 month thereafter for covered tenancies
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the lease / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Wrongful withholding can support double damages of the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
This guide covers Pennsylvania residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.