Local Legislative Information

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Bill

Pennsylvania House Bill No. 1445

Introduced by Solobay.

Summary: State Representative Solobay of   Washington County has introduced a new bill, HB 1445 that would require carbon monoxide alarms in multifamily dwellings that have fossil fuel burning heaters or appliances, fireplaces or an attached garage. The alarm would have to be within ten feet of each room principally used for sleeping. Alternatively, rental properties could have one installed ten to twenty-five feet from a carbon monoxide-producing central fixture and equipment if there is also a centralized alarm system or other mechanism for all residents to hear or see at all times. 

Residents would be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of alarms. Owners would be responsible if units are not occupied. Residents would also be required to notify owners in writing about missing or broken alarms. Tampering or removal would result in a summary offense for the first conviction and a misdemeanor, third degree for second and subsequent convictions.
This bill is more reasonable than SB 29 but it still does not provide for limiting the liability of owners when alarms are removed or damaged.  We will continue to fight for such language. HB 1445 could pick up more momentum than SB 29 as a result of a rally held by its promoters in Harrisburg this week..

Amending Section 502 of Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act

Pennsylvania House Bill No. 322

Introduced by Payne.

Summary: State Representative John D. Payne (R-106 Dauphin) plans to introduce legislation that would amend Section 502 of Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act to change the number of days a district judge has to schedule a landlord/tenant hearing, and amend Section 513 to change from 10 days to 5 the time frame a tenant would have to appeal a judgment. This would compliment Representative Miller’s re-introduced HB 322 that would amend the act regarding judgments and writs of possession.  Additionally, AAGP’s Paul Cohen is continuing his work with the Joint State Government Commission which consists of major stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s apartment industry, to re-write the Landlord and Tenant Act and codify all laws pertinent to landlord and tenant issues in one place.

Abandoned Property Legislation

Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 906 Session of 2007

Introduced by Browne, Wozniak, Punt, Fontana, Erickson, Boscola, Waugh, Earll, Piccola, Greenleaf and Rafferty on May 29, 2007.

Summary: An act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), entitled An act relating to the rights, obligations and liabilities of landlord and tenant and of parties dealing with them and amending, revising, changing and consolidating the law relating thereto, providing; for disposition of abandoned property.

Click here to Read Senate Bill No. 906

Rental Suitability Certificates in Philadelphia

Bill No. 060010-A
Introduced on January 24, 2006
Passed on February 23, 2006
Signed by the Mayor on March 9, 2006

Summary: Amending Subcode "PM" (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code) by providing for a Certificate of Rental Suitability to be provided by the owner of any rental property prior to the inception of any tenancy, and providing for a private right of action by tenants to compel compliance with the Code, all under certain terms and conditions.

Click Here to Read More About Bill No. 060010-A

Methamphetamine Labs in Rental Properties

Pennsylvania House Bill No. 591 Session of 2007

Introduced by J. Evans, Baker, Caltagirone, Geist, Goodman, Hennessey, W. Keller, Kotik, R. Miller, Myers, O'Neill, Pyle, Raymond, Reichley, Roae, Schroder, Solobay and Sonney on March 6, 2007.

Summary: Amending the act of April 6, 1951, entitled "an act relating to the rights, obligations and liabilities of landlord and tenant and of parties dealing with them and amending, revising, changing and consolidating the law relating thereto," providing for disclosure of prior use for the manufacture of certain controlled substances.

Click Here to Read House Bill No. 591 Session of 2007

Lease Transaction Taxes

Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 763 Session of 2007

Introduced by Browne, Orie, Boscola, Wozniak, Fontana, Waugh, Tomlinson, Costa, McIlhinney, Rafferty, Folmer, Ferlo, Wonderling, Stack, Corman, Punt, Greenleaf and Regola on April 12, 2007.

Summary: Amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L. 1257, No. 511), entitled "An act empowering cities of the second class, cities of the second class A, cities of the third class, boroughs, towns, townships of the first class, townships of the second class, school districts of the second class, school districts of the third class and school districts of the fourth class including independent school districts, to levy, asses, collect or to provide for the levying, assesment and collection of certain taxes subject to maximum limitations for general revenue purposes; authorizing the establishment of bureaus and the appointment and compensation of officers, agencies and employes to assess and collect such taxes; providing for joint collection of certain taxes, prescribing certain definitions and other provisions for taxes levied and assessed upon earned income, providing for annual audits and for collection of delinquent taxes, and permitting and requiring penalties to be imposed and enforced, including penalties for disclosure of confidential information, providing an appeal from the ordinance or resolution levying such taxes to the court of quarter sessions and to the Supreme Court and Superior Court," further providing for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions.

Click Here to Read Senate Bill No. 763

Pennsylvania General Assembly Website

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Click Here for the PA General Assembly Website