In creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for parking provisions in lease.
Summary
SB1270 would amend Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to require leases to clearly disclose whether parking is included for a tenant and, if so, whether the tenant must pay a parking fee and the amount of that fee. The bill also prohibits a landlord from changing or adding any parking-related fee during the term of the lease.
If a landlord fails to comply, the tenant may file a complaint in a lower court with jurisdiction over landlord-tenant matters. If the court finds a violation, the landlord must reimburse the tenant for parking costs incurred during the lease term, as determined by the court. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 governing lease disclosures and fee stability for parking. It would create a statutory obligation for landlords to specify parking availability and parking charges in the lease, and it would limit landlords’ ability to impose new or increased parking fees mid-lease. It also creates an enforcement mechanism through lower courts, giving tenants a direct remedy for violations and authorizing court-ordered reimbursement of parking costs.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a tenant-protection and lease-transparency bill. Its sponsors suggest support for clearer rental terms and protection against unexpected parking charges. No recorded opposition is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented public controversy in the available context.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the bill’s restriction on landlords’ flexibility to adjust parking fees during an active lease, which could be viewed by property owners as limiting their ability to respond to changing costs or parking arrangements. Another possible issue is enforcement: the bill allows tenants to seek relief in lower courts, which may raise questions about administrative burden, proof of parking costs, and how reimbursement would be calculated. No specific objections or supporters are recorded in the provided committee or voting history.
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.