Landlord-Tenant Law in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Residential landlord-tenant matters throughout Lebanon County are governed by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq.). Lebanon County government has no county-wide landlord-tenant ordinances beyond Pennsylvania state law. Eviction actions are filed in the Magisterial District Court for the district in which the property is located, with appeals going to the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon.
Lebanon County has no county-wide landlord-tenant ordinances. Local rules apply at the municipal level.
Category
Details
Rental Registration / Licensing
Lebanon County has no county-wide landlord-tenant ordinances. Lebanon City may have local code enforcement requirements. Verify with the City of Lebanon before renting within city limits.
Rent Control
None. Pennsylvania state law does not permit local rent control. No municipality in Lebanon County has rent stabilization.
Local Notice Requirements
None beyond Pennsylvania state requirements. Nonpayment: 10 days. Lease violation / end of term (lease ≤1 yr): 15 days. Lease violation / end of term (lease >1 yr): 30 days.
Security Deposit
Governed by PA state law. Year 1 maximum: 2 months’ rent. Year 2+: 1 month’s rent. Return within 30 days with itemized deduction list. Double damages for wrongful withholding. (68 P.S. § 250.511a – 250.512)
Last verified: 2026-03-15
🏛️ Lebanon County Courthouse
Where landlords file eviction actions
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Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent owed at any time before writ of possession is executed to supersede the writ (68 PS §250.503(c))
Days to Hearing7-15 days
Days to Writ10-15 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$200-$500
⚠️ Watch Out
Lease can SHORTEN or WAIVE notice requirements - always check lease first. 10-day notice is the default but lease may allow less. Tenant can pay all rent before writ execution to stop eviction. MDJ judgment can include both possession and money. Appeal to Court of Common Pleas results in trial de novo. Philadelphia has Eviction Diversion Program (mandatory since 2022 for nonpayment).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magisterial District Court (MDJ) / Philadelphia Municipal Court. Pay the filing fee (~$60-150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Pennsylvania eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Pennsylvania attorney or local legal aid organization.
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including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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Ready to File?
Generate Pennsylvania-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Pennsylvania requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Verify income at 3x monthly rent, check eviction history through the MDJ system, and call prior landlords directly. Apply consistent standards across every application regardless of market segment.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Lebanon County is a compact, largely agricultural county of 362 square miles situated between Dauphin County (Harrisburg) to the north and Lancaster County to the south. Often overlooked by investors focused on the larger markets that surround it, Lebanon County has a genuinely solid rental market anchored by a diversified employment base, reasonable acquisition prices, and a tenant pool of working and middle-class families whose employment spans the county’s manufacturing, healthcare, and agricultural sectors.
Lebanon City and the County Core
Lebanon City, with a population of approximately 26,000, is the county’s urban center and largest community. Like many Pennsylvania cities of its size, Lebanon has a Hispanic and Latino majority population whose working households form a substantial portion of the city’s rental demand base. The city’s manufacturing heritage — Lebanon was known for its iron and steel production in the 19th century — has given way to a more diversified economy including distribution, food processing, and healthcare. Good Samaritan Hospital (part of Penn State Health) is a major employer. The rental market in Lebanon City requires thorough screening and compliance with any applicable local requirements.
Palmyra and the Suburban Communities
Palmyra Borough, at the county’s eastern edge near the Dauphin County line, benefits from proximity to Hershey’s employment base and has a more suburban character and stronger income profile than Lebanon City. Cornwall Borough, home to the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace and a planned residential community, has attracted professional families and offers a distinctive residential environment. Annville Township, home to Lebanon Valley College, adds a small academic market to the county’s rental landscape. These suburban and small-town communities offer more stable and straightforward rental markets than Lebanon City with correspondingly lower yield potential.
The Eviction Process
Lebanon County’s eviction process follows Pennsylvania’s standard MDJ framework with appeals to the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas. The county’s moderate economic profile produces moderate eviction rates across its communities. Standard documentation discipline applies.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas, the applicable Magisterial District Court, or a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: March 2026.
