What is the law regarding rent increases?
In Pennsylvania, the law regarding rent increases is found in the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 PS §§ 250.101–250.602). This law states that landlords must provide a written notice at least 60 days in advance of a rent increase. The notice must also explain the reasons for the increase and the amount by which rent will be raised. The amount of the rent increase is generally up to the landlord, but it must be reasonable. Unreasonably high increases are likely to be struck down by a court if taken to court. The landlord should also be aware that they cannot increase the rent as a form of retaliation against the tenant for exercising their legal rights. The tenant does have the right to contest the rent increase. In order to do so, they can take their landlord to court and dispute the rent increase. The tenant has to prove that the landlord insufficiently informed them of a rent increase, that the rent increase is unreasonable, or that the landlord increased rent in retaliation for exercising legal rights. In Pennsylvania, rent increases can be a stressful situation. It is important to understand the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to ensure landlords are following the law and tenants are adequately protected.
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