Deposit return deadline · Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: return the deposit within 30 days
In Pennsylvania, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit — or account for what's being kept — within 30 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant vacates, whichever is later. The rule is 68 P.S. § 250.512.
Deducting? The paperwork rules
A written list of damages claimed is due within the same 30 days, with payment of the difference.
The clean way to do this is a written letter with the deduction list and the ledger behind it — the deposit return letter template produces one, and a current rent ledger is the difference between documenting and reconstructing.
What missing the deadline costs
Miss the 30 days and you forfeit the right to withhold anything — and can be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld.
The tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing for the penalty provisions to bite; collect it at move-out either way.
Never discover this deadline late
The return clock starts the day the tenancy ends — which means it's knowable weeks in advance. A free RentChime account tracks your lease dates and emails you before deadlines like this one arrive.
Not legal advice. This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. The statute linked above is the authority; cities can add stricter rules, and laws change. If a deposit is disputed, talk to a local attorney.
Common questions
When does the 30-day clock start?
Generally when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out. The statute linked above defines the trigger precisely.
Can I deduct for normal wear and tear?
No state allows deductions for ordinary wear and tear — deductions are for damage beyond it, unpaid rent, and other charges the lease and statute allow, itemized in writing.
What if I miss the deadline in good faith?
Penalties generally attach to bad-faith withholding, but missing the deadline can forfeit your right to keep any of the deposit even without bad faith. The safe play is the letter, itemized, on time.