An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Cappelletti and 13 co-sponsors

The bill would regulate residential rental application fees under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, establishing standards for how fees are charged and disclosed to protect rent

Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing

Overview

Senate Bill 1216 (2025-2026 Regular Session) from Pennsylvania would amend The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, specifically addressing creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, and it would establish provisions related to residential rental application fees. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Judith Schwank and has a broad slate of co-sponsors from both chambers’ majorities. As of the latest action, it has been referred to the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee (March 18, 2026).

Main purpose and intent

The bill aims to introduce or refine rules around residential rental application fees within the framework of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.

Its stated focus includes considerations around the creation of leases, the statute of frauds, and mortgaging of leaseholds, while adding explicit provisions on how residential rental application fees should be handled.

The overarching goal appears to be consumer protection for renters by regulating how and when landlords can charge rental application fees, though the exact fee caps or methods are not detailed in the provided text.

Key provisions and changes (as implied)

Amendment to The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951: The bill would modify sections related to:

Creation of leases
Statute of frauds
Mortgaging of leaseholds

Residential rental application fees: The legislation would provide new or adjusted rules governing rental application fees charged to prospective tenants. While the exact numerical cap, allowed practices, or exemptions are not included in the available text, the memo title and subject indicate a focus on fee transparency or limitations.

Administrative framework: By moving these provisions within the act, the bill would set enforceable standards applicable to landlords and property managers in rental transactions.

Who would be affected

Landlords and property managers who screen and rent residential units covered by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.

Prospective tenants applying for residential rentals, who would be subject to any new fee caps, transparency requirements, or procedural protections related to rental application fees.

Legal and compliance professionals advising housing providers or tenants, who would need to ensure practices align with the amended statute.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee on March 18, 2026.

There are no floor votes or final enactment actions recorded in the provided text.

If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and then to the full Senate and House for consideration, with potential signatures and enactment into law.

Additional context

The bill text references related topics such as parking fee transparency and tenant protections in other bills, indicating a broader legislative focus on rental affordability and renter protections.

The bill is part of amendments to a long-standing foundational housing statute, which governs leases, fraught with considerations of fraud, mortgaging of leaseholds, and formal lease creation.

If you’d like, I can pull in the current draft language (if available) to provide precise provisions, such as any proposed fee caps, disclosure requirements, refund rules, or exceptions.