WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2475

An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, providing for pet fees.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Hill-Evans and 5 co-sponsors

HB 2475 updates eviction rules under PA's Landlord and Tenant Act and sets rules for pet-related fees, clarifying when and how such charges may be charged or retained.

Referred to Housing & Community Development
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2475

Bill Summary: HB 2475 (Pennsylvania, 2025-2026)

Overview

HB 2475 proposes amendments to The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (act of April 6, 1951, P.L. 69, No. 20) specifically within the recovery of possession provisions and adds explicit policy around pet fees. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Housing & Community Development as of May 4, 2026. Co-sponsors include Rep. Ben Waxman, Rep. Nikki Rivera, Rep. Mandy Steele, Rep. Dan Williams, Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, and Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El.

Purpose and Intent

  • To modify the process and/or conditions under which a landlord may recover possession of a rental property.
  • To introduce or regulate the use of pet-related fees within the tenancy framework, clarifying when and how pet fees may be charged, applied, or recovered in relation to eviction/possession actions.

Key Provisions (As Typically Associated with This Scope)

Note: The exact statutory text is not provided in the summary you supplied, but the bill’s title and action history indicate the following likely areas of change:
- Recovery of possession: Possible reform of eviction procedures under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, including timelines, notice requirements, defenses, or procedural steps in actions to regain possession.
- Pet fees: Establishment of rules around pet-related charges, which could cover:
- Whether landlords may charge pet deposits or nonrefundable pet fees.
- Caps or limits on pet fees (dollar amounts, annualized costs, or percentage-based limits).
- Rules on how pet fees interact with other security deposits.
- Requirements for disclosure to tenants about pet-related charges.
- Conditions under which pet fees may be retained at the end of the tenancy or applied to damages.
- Clarity in disputes: Provisions to resolve disputes related to pet fees and possession more efficiently, possibly detailing documentation, receipts, or permissible charges.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Landlords and property owners/managers operating rental properties subject to the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, particularly those with provisions for eviction (recovery of possession) and pet policies.
  • Tenants and prospective tenants, especially those who keep pets or are subject to pet-related charges.
  • Rental housing advocates, legal service providers, and local housing authorities that assist with eviction proceedings and tenancy disputes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to the House Committee on Housing & Community Development (as of 2026-05-04).
  • Next steps typically include committee consideration, potential amendments, floor votes in the House, and then passage to the Senate, where a parallel process would occur, followed by enactment and signing into law (if enacted).
  • Any effective date or transition provisions (not provided in the brief) would determine when the pet-fee rules and revised possession procedures take effect (often a future effective date after enactment).

Potential Implications

  • Increases clarity and predictability around pet-related charges for both landlords and tenants.
  • May reduce or standardize disputes over pet fees during recovery of possession actions.
  • Could influence eviction practices by aligning them with updated guidelines on pet-related costs.
  • If limits or disclosures are enacted, may impact the financial considerations for tenants with pets, and for landlords who rely on pet-related revenue.

Note

This summary reflects the bill’s stated focus areas based on the title and available action history. The precise language of the bill could specify additional or different requirements. For a complete understanding, review the official bill text, amendments proposed in committee, and any fiscal or regulatory impact statements accompanying the legislation.

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

Sign in to ask a question.