The maximum duration of a standard residential lease agreement is three (3) years in Pennsylvania (68 P.S. §§ 250.201).
Leases of more than 3 years must be in writing and signed in order to be valid and not considered a tenancy at will (68 P.S. §§ 250.202). If such a lease is not signed or written, it is considered only a year-to-year lease, rather than a 3-year lease.
Verbal (or oral) leases are valid for terms shorter than 3 years, but it is recommended that all leases be in writing. It is easier to prove exactly what the tenant and landlord agreed upon if the lease is in writing.
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The information for this answer was found on our Pennsylvania Residential Lease Agreement answers.