If you’re a Pittsburgh landlord thinking about selling your rental property, understanding Pennsylvania tenant notice law is the first step. Getting this wrong can delay your sale, expose you to liability, or make an already-complicated situation worse. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what the law requires.
Pittsburgh Landlord Hub: For a complete overview of selling rental properties in Pittsburgh, visit our main guide: Selling a Rental Property With Tenants in Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act: The Basics
Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 governs most residential rental relationships in the state. It sets the rules for security deposits, lease terminations, entry notice, and eviction. Allegheny County (where Pittsburgh is located) follows state law with a few local supplements, but there is no separate city-level rent control ordinance in Pittsburgh as of 2025.
Notice Requirements to End a Tenancy
The amount of notice you must give a tenant to end their tenancy depends on how long they’ve lived there and the type of lease:
- Week-to-week tenants: 10 days’ written notice
- Month-to-month tenants (less than 1 year): 15 days’ written notice before the end of a rental period
- Month-to-month or year-to-year tenants (1 year or longer): 30 days’ written notice
- Fixed-term lease: Notice is typically not required to end at the natural lease expiration — but the tenant has the right to stay through the end of the lease term regardless of any sale
Notice must be delivered in writing. In practice, certified mail or personal delivery with a witness is recommended.
Entry Notice Requirements
Before entering a tenant-occupied property for showings, inspections, or appraisals, Pennsylvania law requires landlords to give “reasonable” advance notice. While the statute doesn’t define a specific number of hours, 24 hours is the widely accepted standard and is what most courts would consider reasonable. Some leases specify a longer period — check your lease terms.
If a tenant refuses access for showings, your options are limited in the short term. You cannot enter without permission except in genuine emergencies. This is one reason many Pittsburgh landlords prefer to sell to a cash buyer — fewer (or zero) showings means less conflict with the tenant.
Security Deposit Rules at Sale
When a rental property sells in Pennsylvania, the security deposit doesn’t simply stay with the seller. The seller must either transfer the deposit to the new owner or return it to the tenant. The tenant must be notified in writing of the new owner’s name and address. Failure to properly transfer the deposit can expose the former landlord to a claim for double damages.
What Happens If You Just Want Out Quickly?
If navigating tenant notices, showings, and legal technicalities sounds exhausting — it is. Many Pittsburgh landlords find that selling to a cash buyer sidesteps most of these issues. Cash buyers can purchase your property with the tenant in place, handle the tenant transition after closing, and close in as little as 7–14 days without you ever having to give a formal notice-to-vacate.
Call (412) 424-6412 to talk through your specific situation, or request a cash offer on your Pittsburgh rental. We understand Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law and can structure the deal to protect you.
Related Guides for Pittsburgh Landlords
- How to sell a rental property with tenants still living there
- Problem tenant situation — selling instead of evicting
- How cash buyers handle tenant-occupied properties
