Pennsylvania Late Rent Fee Rules

What Pennsylvania law says

• AG guide: late fees should bear a reasonable relation to the cost incurred by the landlord and should not be excessive.
• The guide does not specify a grace period.
• The guide says a lease should state the rent amount, due date, payment method and late penalties.

Steps for a landlord

• State the late fee amount and trigger in the written lease.
• Keep the fee reasonable relative to your actual cost.
• State the rent due date and any grace period in the lease.
• Check with a local attorney before charging large fees.

What to put in the notice

• The lease clause that allows the late fee
• The rent due date and any grace period
• The late fee amount and the total now owed
• How and where the tenant can pay
• The date and your signature

Things to watch

• The page we read gives no dollar or percentage cap.
• The page does not say whether notice is required before charging; check the statute or a local attorney.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.