SB 1216 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate residential rental application fees and background check policies. It limits application fees to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50, allowing landlords to charge only for criminal history and credit checks. The legislation also requires landlords to make individualized assessments when considering criminal history, evaluating factors like the nature of the offense and time elapsed since conviction. These rules apply only to residential properties and cannot be waived by applicants through contracts.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 18, 2026 Last action Mar 18, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing
upper
1 primary · 13 co-sponsors

Sponsors