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HR 558

A Resolution recognizing September 11, 2026, as "The 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda attacks" in Pennsylvania and honoring the sacrifices of the victims and first responders.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Banta and 36 co-sponsors

HB 558 tightens rental applications by capping and clarifying upfront fees, boosting transparency, and restricting charges to protect tenants during the housing application process

Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 558

Overview

  • Bill: House Bill 558 (HB 558)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Primary purpose: Amend the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to address rental applications, including capping rental application fees and related provisions.
  • Status: As of the latest actions, referred to the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee (May 7, 2026) and subsequently listed in intergovernmental referrals. Previously advanced through House committees and final passage in the House in May 2026.

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to reform rental practices by creating or clarifying requirements related to rental applications and associated fees charged by landlords or property managers.
  • It seeks to provide protections for tenants during the rental application process, with emphasis on limiting up-front costs that tenants must bear to pursue housing.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (as it relates to creation of leases, statute of frauds, and mortgaging of leaseholds) to address rental applications.
  • Notable potential focus areas (inferred from related housing bills and committee memo titles):
    • Capping or restricting rental application fees charged to prospective tenants.
    • Enhancing transparency around fees and costs associated with applying for rental housing.
    • Clarifying permissible and impermissible practices in the rental application process to prevent predatory or excessive charges.
  • The bill has undergone amendments in committee, with a House Amendments package (A02832) affecting its text prior to final passage.

Who would be affected

  • Tenants and prospective renters: Potentially lower or capped upfront costs when applying for rental housing.
  • Landlords, property owners, and property managers: Subject to new or clarified restrictions on rental application fees and related processes.
  • Housing and rental market policy actors in Pennsylvania: The bill would influence practices in the landlord-tenant relationship and may interact with other landlord-tenant protections and fee regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Committee path:
    • Referred to Housing & Community Development committee (with updates in 2025-2026 session).
    • Reported as amended on April 13, 2026.
    • First consideration in the House on April 13, 2026; subsequently laid on the table and then removed from the table (April 28, 2026).
    • Second consideration on April 29, 2026; re-committed to Appropriations (April 29, 2026).
    • Re-reported as committed on May 4, 2026.
  • Floor action:
    • Final passage in the House on May 4, 2026, with a vote of 148 yeas and 53 nays.
  • Senate action:
    • Referred to Senate Urban Affairs & Housing on May 7, 2026.
  • Current status (as of the latest available update): Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations (June 8, 2026) by Senate, indicating ongoing legislative processing.

Additional context

  • The bill is part of broader efforts to protect tenants in Pennsylvania by addressing financial barriers during the rental application process.
  • Specific dollar amounts or exact fee caps are not listed in the provided summary text; the final negotiated language in amendments would define any caps, fee structures, exemptions, or enforcement mechanisms.

Potential impacts to monitor

  • If a fee cap is established, assess its effect on:
    • Tenant access to housing, particularly for low- and moderate-income renters.
    • Landlord willingness to process applications and the overall rental market dynamics.
  • Enforcement mechanisms:
    • How violations would be detected and penalties enforced.
    • Whether local jurisdictions may adopt stricter or complementary measures.
  • Administrative burden on landlords to comply with new disclosure and fee-tracking requirements.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact text of HB 558 and point out the precise language on fees, disclosures, and enforcement once it’s available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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