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States/Pennsylvania/30-Day Rule
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Pennsylvania renter guide

Pennsylvania 30-Day Security Deposit Return Rule

Section 512 requires the landlord within 30 days of lease termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever first occurs, to provide a written list of claimed damage and the balance of the escrow after lawful deductions.

Last reviewed: August 30, 20261 official source cited
Main period30 days

Use the statute’s termination / surrender-and-acceptance trigger language.

Damage listWritten

The damage list accompanies the balance due from the escrow.

Tenant addressWritten new address matters

Section 512(e) can relieve landlord liability if the tenant fails to provide it.

Do not guess the trigger date

The statute expressly references termination of a lease or surrender and acceptance, whichever first occurs. Preserve termination notices, key-return evidence and any written acceptance of surrender.

Statewide baseline only. Local rules and the exact tenancy facts can change the analysis. This page is educational information, not legal advice.

Official sources

Pennsylvania General AssemblySection 512 — recovery of improperly held escrow funds ↗

Primary law for the 30-day damage list/refund framework, written new-address rule and statutory remedies.

Related Pennsylvania guides

Security Deposit →Deposit Limits →Forwarding Address →Deposit Interest →