
Rent hikes in every US state are controlled by both federal and local laws. This aim is to ensure affordable rental housing for the tenants, as well as provide landlords with a fair income from their property.
After all, unfavourable rent will eventually drive out tenants, leaving the owner with no income for the vacancy period.
But Pennsylvania, a state with over 1.6 million people living on rent, is an exemption here.
Continue reading to know why it’s so and how much you can raise rent in Pennsylvania.
How Much Can You Raise Rent in Pennsylvania?
You can raise rent as much as you want in Pennsylvania. Unlike other U.S. cities like New York, Florida, San Francisco, San Diego, or Los Angeles, Pennsylvania has no statewide laws to regulate rent hikes across any rental property.
Surprisingly, despite having no official regulation, the state continues to be an affordable place for tenants, with a decent 3-bedroom apartment costing just $1,711 a month. This is according to the HUD Fair Market Rents Documentation System FY 2025.
Please note that fixed-term leases restrict raising any rent until the lease ends. Month-to-month leases don’t fall under this rule, provided you serve a written notice at least 30 days prior.

What is the Rent Cap in Pennsylvania?
There’s no rent cap in Pennsylvania due to a lack of rent control laws across the state. You can hike the rent as much as you intend to. But of course, any unreasonable increase will likely drive your existing tenants to move out, resulting in a loss of your rental income during the vacancy period before a new tenant moves in.
That’s why it’s recommended to stay cautious while planning to increase any rents, ideally by taking into account the current market condition or Assembly Bill No. 1482.
How Often Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Pennsylvania?
A landlord can raise rent as often as they want, as long as they provide proper notice for every valid hike.
Rent Increase Notice in Pennsylvania By Government
While you can freely raise the rent of your rental property in Pennsylvania, the government has strict guidelines for protecting tenants from any rent increase without due notice from the landlord.
Here’s an overview of the rent increase notice requirement in Pennsylvania:
- Weekly Lease: 7-day advance notice
- Monthly Lease: 30-day advance notice
- Quarterly Lease: 60-day advance notice
- Annual Lease: 60-day advance notice
Note: Please check your local laws for the latest information.
Verbal notices don’t count, and the written copy must include the following information:
- New rent
- Date from which this new rent will go into effect
- Reasons for increasing the rent (optional)
Failure to adhere to these notice requirements allows tenants to challenge any rent hike in the court.
Single-Family Home Rent Increase in Pennsylvania
Rent increase of single-family homes in Pennsylvania isn’t bound by any law, meaning the landlord can raise rent without restrictions.
Does Pennsylvania Have Rent Control?
No, Pennsylvania has no rent control. There are certain legislations to protect tenant’s rights, though, including the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA).
Here’s an excerpt from the FHA:
“The FHA prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race or color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.”
The PHRA is an extension of the FHA. It makes a habitual housing environment and protection must for individuals who guide or support animals due to physical disabilities, as well as train or handle such animals.
Can a Landlord Raise Rent More Than 10% in Pennsylvania?
Yes, a landlord can raise rent by more than 10% in Pennsylvania. The state has no control to intervene in how much you can raise rent in the state.
What Are the New Rental Laws in Pennsylvania in 2025?
The new rental laws in Pennsylvania are as follows:
- Law for Eviction: Landlords can evict tenants for valid reasons, such as rent non-payment, illegal activities, and lease violations.
- Law for Security Deposit: Security deposit, if any, must be kept in an escrow account. The same must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the property. Failure to do so makes the landlord liable to pay 2x the security amount held to the tenant.
- Law for Housing Discrimination: No landlord can discriminate against renters based on their race, color, age, sex, religion, relationship status, and disability.
- Law for Landlord Entry: The landlord must mention some kind of entry notification in the lease agreement before sharing it with the tenant, although there’s no law to govern it.
- Law for Small Claims Court: The small claims court in Pennsylvania will only hear rent and eviction-related cases for up to $12,000. Otherwise, you must file in a higher court.
How to Manage Your Rental Property and Rent Collection?
Managing rental properties and collecting rent can be challenging, especially for landlords and property managers juggling multiple properties under them. Using property management software makes these tasks easier, more efficient, and stress-free.
Let’s explore why software is essential for landlords and property managers to handle rent collection and property management effectively.
1. Streamline Rent Collection
Traditional rent collection methods like checks or cash are time-consuming and prone to delays. No doubt about it. Property management software, such as RentPost automates rent collection, allowing tenants to pay online using multiple payment methods like credit cards or bank transfers.
The software also sends automated reminders to tenants about upcoming or overdue payments, reducing the need for follow-ups. With instant notifications, landlords can monitor payments in real-time and avoid misunderstandings.
2. Track Property Finances Easily
Managing finances is crucial for any rental business. The software helps track income, expenses, and profits for each property, making financial management straightforward. You can generate detailed reports, track maintenance costs, and monitor rent payments in one place.
This transparency simplifies tax filing and ensures you don’t overlook deductions or other financial details. With everything organized, landlords and property managers can focus on growing their rental business instead of looking through multiple spreadsheets.
3. Simplify Tenant Communication
Good communication with tenants builds trust and improves relationships. Isn’t it? The software centralizes all communication, making it easy to send updates, share lease agreements, or handle tenant inquiries.
This eliminates the hassle of managing emails, calls, or paperwork. Automated messages ensure tenants are always informed, whether it’s about rent increases, maintenance schedules, or upcoming inspections.
4. Efficient Maintenance Management
Handling maintenance requests manually can be chaotic. Property management software streamlines this process by allowing tenants to submit requests online. Landlords can assign tasks to contractors, track progress, and ensure timely repairs.
This system improves tenant satisfaction and keeps properties in excellent condition. Moreover, software stores maintenance histories, helping landlords plan future renovations and control expenses better.
5. Secure Data Storage
Paper records can be lost or damaged, while spreadsheets are vulnerable to bugs. The software ensures all your property-related data, from lease agreements to payment records, is securely stored in the cloud.
This not only saves space but also protects sensitive information from getting lost. With encrypted data and secure access, landlords and property managers can rest assured that their records are safe and readily accessible.
6. Save Time and Reduce Stress
Managing multiple rental units manually is exhausting. In such a situation, the software saves time by automating repetitive tasks like rent collection, report generation, and tenant communication.
With fewer manual processes to handle, landlords can focus on expanding their business or spending time on other priorities. The reduced workload also means less stress, thus making property management more enjoyable, which it should be.
RentPost offers all of these features to streamline your rental property management. Here’s how it can fit seamlessly into your routine:
- Gain a Clear Understanding of Your Rental Property’s Financial Health: Analyze income, expenses, and profitability to make informed decisions. Wondering if it’s time to raise the rent? These reports can provide the insights you need.

- Never Worry About Late Payments Again: RentPost lets you send automated payment reminders to tenants via text or email. Plus, the software calculates and applies late fees automatically based on your predefined schedule, saving you time and hassle.

- Accept Rent Payments Conveniently: Choose between credit/debit cards or bank transfers to accept rental payments. Tenants receive digital receipts instantly, ensuring transparency and reducing payment disputes.
- Track Rent Payments With a Single Click: Check for outstanding balances or confirm completed transactions instantly, making your financial management more efficient.

- RentPost Makes Tenant Screening Simple: Request background checks, credit reports, eviction history, and identity verification directly through the platform to ensure you select reliable tenants.

- Automatic Recording and Tracking of Payments: Payments are deposited directly into your designated bank account, streamlining cash flow management.
- Easy Scalability: As your rental business grows, RentPost grows with you. Add new units or tenants effortlessly, ensuring your management system stays efficient and organized no matter the scale.

What are you waiting for? RentPost simplifies every aspect of property management, helping you save time, reduce stress, and focus on scaling your rental business.
Frequently asked questions
How much can you raise rent in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, landlords can raise rent as much as they want since there are no rent control laws. Unlike states like California or New York, Pennsylvania does not limit rent increases. However, setting rent too high can drive tenants away, leading to vacancies and lost income. To avoid this, landlords should consider market conditions before increasing rent.
What is the rent cap in Pennsylvania?
There is no rent cap in Pennsylvania. Landlords can raise rent without any legal limit. However, an excessive rent hike can cause tenant turnover, resulting in potential income loss. To keep tenants and maintain steady rental income, landlords should set rent based on fair market value.
How often can a landlord raise rent in Pennsylvania?
A landlord in Pennsylvania can raise rent as often as they like, as long as they provide proper notice. The notice period varies based on the lease type, ranging from 7 to 60 days. Keeping rent increases reasonable helps retain tenants and ensures consistent rental income.
What is the rent increase notice period in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law requires landlords to give written notice before raising rent:
- Weekly lease: 7 days’ notice
- Monthly lease: 30 days’ notice
- Quarterly lease: 60 days’ notice
- Annual lease: 60 days’ notice
Verbal notices are not valid. Without proper notice, tenants can challenge the rent increase in court.
Can a landlord raise rent on a single-family home in Pennsylvania?
Yes, landlords can increase rent on single-family homes without restrictions in Pennsylvania. The state has no laws limiting rent hikes for these properties. However, an unreasonable increase can lead to tenant turnover, causing vacancies and income loss.
Does Pennsylvania have rent control laws?
No, Pennsylvania does not have rent control laws. Landlords have the freedom to raise rent as they see fit. However, they must follow fair housing laws, which prevent discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or other protected categories.
Can a landlord raise rent by more than 10% in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania landlords can raise rent by more than 10% since there are no legal restrictions. However, extreme increases can make it difficult to retain tenants. To ensure stable occupancy, landlords should consider market trends before making significant rent hikes.
What are the new rental laws in Pennsylvania for 2025?
- Evictions: Tenants can be evicted for non-payment, illegal activity, or lease violations.
- Security Deposits: Must be held in escrow and returned within 30 days after move-out.
- Housing Discrimination: Landlords cannot discriminate based on race, gender, age, or disability.
- Landlord Entry: No law requires notice, but lease agreements should specify entry rules.
- Small Claims Court: Handles rent disputes up to $12,000.
How can landlords efficiently collect rent in Pennsylvania?
RentPost automates rent collection, allowing tenants to pay online via credit card, bank transfer, or ACH. Automated reminders reduce late payments, ensuring landlords maintain a steady cash flow.
How can landlords track rental property finances?
RentPost provides real-time tracking of rent payments, expenses, and profitability. It generates financial reports, making tax filing easier and helping landlords make informed decisions about rent adjustments.