Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at two months' rent during the first year and one month's rent thereafter, with mandatory escrow interest and a thirty-day refund window after lease termination.
68 P.S. Section 250.511a limits security deposits collected from Pittsburgh tenants. During year one, the deposit cap is two months' rent. After the first anniversary of the tenancy, any amount over one month's rent must be refunded. Deposits exceeding one hundred dollars must sit in an escrow account at a federally regulated institution after year two and earn interest paid to the tenant. Landlords have thirty days after move-out to return the deposit or itemize lawful deductions in writing, or risk liability for double the wrongfully withheld amount.
Charging more than two months' rent up front, failing to refund or itemize within thirty days after move-out, or commingling deposits with operating funds can expose Pittsburgh landlords to double-damages claims under state law.
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