Bill > HB734

This bill amends the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to establish new provisions for tenant relocation when rental housing becomes uninhabitable. The bill clarifies a landlord's existing duty of reasonable care for safety in common areas and explicitly requires landlords to provide habitable dwelling units. It introduces detailed guidelines for both temporary and permanent tenant displacement, defining displaced tenants as those who must vacate rental housing due to condemnation or uninhabitability through no fault of their own. For temporarily displaced tenants (vacating for less than 60 days), landlords must either provide an alternative comparable dwelling unit, cover moving expenses, and maintain original lease terms. For permanently displaced tenants (vacating for 60 days or more), landlords must return the security deposit with interest, pay pro-rata rent, and provide the tenant with the first right to reoccupy the unit once it becomes habitable. The bill includes specific notification requirements, timelines for reoccupation, and provisions for tenant and landlord agreements. Notably, the bill includes exemptions for smaller landlords and cases of displacement caused by events beyond the landlord's control or due to tenant negligence. The legislation will take effect one year after its passage, giving landlords time to prepare for the new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=734