Residential landlord-tenant matters throughout Pike County are governed by the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq.). Pike 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 Pike County Court of Common Pleas in Milford.
Pike County has no county-wide landlord-tenant ordinances. Local rules apply at the municipal level.
Category
Details
Rental Registration / Licensing
Pike County has no county-wide landlord-tenant ordinances. Individual municipalities may have local zoning requirements affecting rental use, particularly regarding short-term vacation rentals. The county has significant vacation and seasonal rental activity — verify local zoning in the applicable municipality before operating any rental property.
Rent Control
None. Pennsylvania state law does not permit local rent control. No municipality in Pike 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
🏛️ Pike County Courthouse
Where landlords file eviction actions
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Pennsylvania
Loading courthouse data
Coming Soon
Courthouse data for Pennsylvania is being compiled. Check back soon!
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.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Pennsylvania landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Pennsylvania —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Pennsylvania's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Pike County
Notable cities, boroughs, and townships
MilfordDingmans FerryShoholaMatamorasDelaware TownshipWestfall TownshipBlooming Grove TownshipLehman Township
Pike County
Screen Before You Sign
Verify income at 3x monthly rent, check eviction history through the MDJ system, and call prior landlords directly. Apply consistent standards across every application.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Pike County, Pennsylvania
Pike County is Pennsylvania’s Delaware River border county at its northernmost point, a 547-square-mile expanse of Pocono Mountains terrain, lakes, and river corridors that serves simultaneously as a New York City exurb and a vacation/recreation destination. The county’s position directly across the Delaware River from New Jersey — with direct road access to New Jersey via Interstate 84 and Route 206 — makes it one of the most New York-influenced counties in Pennsylvania.
The New York Commuter and Exurban Market
Pike County’s defining rental market dynamic is the extraordinary cost differential between housing in the county and housing in metropolitan New York and northern New Jersey. Workers in New York City, Jersey City, and the broader metro area who are priced out of New Jersey have relocated to Pike County in significant numbers, accepting very long commutes — Pike County to Midtown Manhattan is roughly 90 miles and 2 or more hours each way — in exchange for dramatically lower housing costs. The Interstate 84 bridge at Matamoras is a primary commute crossing. This commuter market drives rental demand from tenants whose primary income comes from New York area employers, giving them income profiles that are often substantially above what purely local employment would generate.
The Vacation and Seasonal Market
Pike County’s lakes, state forests, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area position it as a destination for New York and New Jersey visitors seeking outdoor recreation. The vacation rental market is active and in many communities subject to local zoning regulation — short-term rental restrictions vary by municipality, and landlords considering vacation rental operations should verify the applicable zoning before proceeding. The permanent residential rental market operates separately from the vacation market and is driven primarily by the commuter dynamic and local employment in healthcare and services.
The Eviction Process
Pike County’s eviction process follows Pennsylvania’s standard MDJ framework with appeals to the Pike County Court of Common Pleas in Milford. Standard documentation discipline applies throughout.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Pike County, Pennsylvania and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, the applicable Magisterial District Court, or a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: March 2026.
