DisputeKit / States / Pennsylvania
Your consumer rights in Pennsylvania
What Pennsylvania and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
30 days. Under Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, § 512(a) (68 P.S. § 250.512(a)), a landlord must provide a written list of any damages the landlord claims, together with payment of the difference between the deposit (plus any unpaid interest) and the actual damages within 30 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If you did not give your landlord a new address in writing when you moved out, the landlord is relieved of liability under this law. If they miss that deadline, they lose the right to keep any part of the deposit. A court may also award double the amount by which the deposit (plus any unpaid interest) exceeds the actual damages the tenant caused, if the landlord does not pay that difference within 30 days.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Pennsylvania has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Pennsylvania's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania consumer law
- Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, § 3 (73 P.S. § 201-3)
- Where to file a complaint
- Pennsylvania Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Small claims limit
- $12,000 before a magisterial district judge (Philadelphia Municipal Court has the same limit), not counting interest and costs
- Filing fee
- Set by county; commonly about $60 to $150 including the cost of serving the defendant, depending on the amount claimed