Pennsylvania Deposit Interest Rules
interest required (deposits held 2+ years)Pennsylvania is one of 14 US jurisdictions that require landlords to pay interest on security deposits in covered rentals — the FAQ below covers which tenancies qualify. If your lease is silent about interest, the statutory obligation still applies where it covers you.
Educational information: generated from our Pennsylvania law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.
How Pennsylvania compares
14 of 51 US jurisdictions require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Here is how Pennsylvania compares with other states in our database.
| State | Deposit Interest Rules |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | interest required (deposits held 2+ years) |
| Rhode Island | no interest required |
| South Carolina | no interest required |
| South Dakota | no interest required |
| Tennessee | no interest required |
Frequently asked questions
- Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Pennsylvania?
- Yes — Pennsylvania law requires interest on held security deposits for deposits held 2+ years. Maximum 2 months rent in first year, 1 month thereafter. Cannot increase even if rent rises. Deposits over $100 must be held in escrow and tenant notified of bank. After 2 years: interest-bearing account, pay interest annually (minus 1% admin fee). Return within 30 days. Failure: 2x amount wrongfully withheld.
- How large can the deposit itself be in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania generally allows at most 2 months' rent (first lease year) as a security deposit.
- When do I get my security deposit back in Pennsylvania?
- Generally within 30 days after move-out, together with any interest owed.
Check Your Lease Against Pennsylvania Law
Not sure whether your lease complies with Pennsylvania law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.
Analyze My Lease FreeEducational tool — not legal advice. First analysis is free, no signup required.
More Pennsylvania lease law guides
Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania for your specific situation.