General info, not legal advice. Details

Pennsylvania Late fees

Last reviewed 2026-10-23

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Pennsylvania, and how much?

There is no Pennsylvania statute capping residential late fees. The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.) was reviewed by full-text search and sets no late fee limit. Guidance (PA Attorney General consumer guide, not law): late fees should not be excessive, should reasonably relate to the landlord's costs, and should be disclosed in the lease.

Verified Source: 68 P.S. 250.101 et seq. · last checked 2026-10-23

How this works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no statute capping residential late fees; the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 sets no limit. The Attorney General's consumer guide (guidance, not law) says late fees should not be excessive, should reasonably relate to your costs and should be disclosed in the lease.

Worked example for Pennsylvania

Say your lease charges a late fee after the 5th. The 1951 act doesn't cap it. Following the AG guide, disclose it in the lease and set it at a level you could explain by your actual costs of late payment.

Pennsylvania timelines and limits

Statutory capNone in 68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.
AG guidanceNot excessive, related to costs, disclosed in the lease

Pennsylvania FAQ

Does Pennsylvania cap late fees?

There is no Pennsylvania statute capping residential late fees.

What does the PA Attorney General recommend?

Fees should not be excessive, should reasonably relate to the landlord's costs, and should be disclosed in the lease.

Which Pennsylvania law was searched?

The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.), by full-text search.

Sources for this section: 68 P.S. 250.101 et seq. (checked 2026-10-23)

This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.

Related Pennsylvania rules

Late fee grace period

Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 sets no late-fee grace period or cap (reviewed by full-text search). The Attorney General's tenant guide says late fees should not be excessive and should bear a reasonable relation to the landlord's cost.

Verified Source: 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq. (Act of 1951, Section 101) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania late fee grace period page

Eviction notice (nonpayment)

10 days' written notice to quit for nonpayment of rent after demand (the lease may shorten or waive the notice).

Verified Source: 68 P.S. § 250.501(b), (e) (Act of 1951, Section 501) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania eviction notice (nonpayment) page

Application fees & screening

A search of the full Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 found no limit on rental application fees.

Verified Source: Pa. Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Sections 101-603 (full-text search of the act) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania application fees & screening page

Same topic in neighboring states

All Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law · Pennsylvania landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone)

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