Are there any laws governing the use of rental applications?
Yes, there are laws governing the use of rental applications in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq.) regulates the rules for the rental of residential properties. Under this Act, landlords may require tenants to fill out a standard rental application prior to approving a lease. Additionally, the landlord must provide the tenant with a copy of the application upon request. The landlord may require a fee for the application and must also provide certain disclosures to the tenant before he or she signs the lease. For example, the Landlord and Tenant Act requires that the landlord include a copy of the “Right to Withhold or Deduct” which informs the tenant of the tenant’s rights regarding withholding rent if the landlord fails to provide certain services. Additionally, the landlord must ensure that the rental application does not discriminate against tenants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin. In other words, the landlord must ensure that all individuals receive the same consideration regardless of their identity. Overall, rental applications are a useful tool for landlords in Pennsylvania. However, the landlord must adhere to certain regulations in order to ensure that the application process is fair and unbiased.
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