In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for website and disclosure of flood risks.
Summary
HB1705 would amend Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to add flood-related definitions and require new flood-risk disclosures in written residential leases and lease renewals. It defines “flood damage” and “natural flood event,” then directs the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to create and maintain a publicly accessible website with information about flood risk, flood mitigation, flood insurance, and available flood-hazard-area property information.
The bill also requires landlords, when entering into or renewing a written lease, to tell tenants whether the property has ever experienced flood damage, how many times and approximately when that damage occurred, whether the property is in a FEMA special or moderate flood hazard area, whether flood insurance is legally required, and whether the landlord carries flood insurance that covers tenant personal property. It further requires a standardized notice warning tenants that renter’s insurance typically does not cover flood damage and encouraging them to review coverage and consider flood insurance options.
Impact
If enacted, HB1705 would add new statewide landlord disclosure obligations and create a new public flood-risk information resource within the Insurance Department. It would affect landlords, tenants, insurers, and property owners by making flood history and flood-zone status part of the written leasing process, and it would likely influence lease forms, rental compliance practices, and tenant insurance decisions. The bill would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and preventive rather than contentious. The measure is framed as a consumer-protection and risk-awareness bill, aimed at helping tenants understand flood exposure and insurance gaps before signing or renewing a lease. Its sponsors suggest a concern with increasing flood risk and the need for clearer disclosure.
Contention
No committee transcripts or vote history are available, so no specific objections were recorded in the provided materials. Potential points of contention, if raised, would likely involve the burden on landlords to research and disclose flood history and insurance status, the accuracy or availability of flood-risk information, and whether the state should impose additional lease disclosure requirements. Another possible issue is the scope of the required notice, particularly for properties that have experienced flooding but are not currently in a mapped flood hazard area.
In general provisions relating to residential real property, further providing for definitions; in seller disclosures, further providing for disclosure form and providing for website information and for flood disclosure; and imposing duties on the Insurance Department.
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in recovery of possession, further providing for hearing, judgment, writ of possession and payment of rent by tenant; and making editorial changes.