Rent control rules in Bethlehem, PA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
The City of Bethlehem has no rent-control ordinance. Residential rent is governed by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. §250.101 et seq.), which sets no cap on rent amounts or rent increases for third-class cities like Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, a third-class city straddling Lehigh and Northampton counties, has not adopted rent control. Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. §250.101+) governs the rental relationship statewide and contains no rent caps. The narrow statutory rent-control authority under Act 138 of 1953 reaches only counties of the second class and second class A, not third-class cities such as Bethlehem. Rent is set by lease at signing and may change during the term only as the lease provides. For month-to-month tenancies, an increase requires the same advance notice as termination under 68 P.S. §250.501 — typically 15 days for tenancies under one year and 30 days for tenancies of one year or longer. Federal Fair Housing Act and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act anti-discrimination rules still apply.
No local rent-cap penalties exist. Disputes over improper notice, retaliation, or fair-housing violations go to the Lehigh County or Northampton County Magisterial District Court covering the rental, or to PHRC and HUD for discrimination complaints.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Lehigh County.
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