A Pennsylvania sublease agreement allows a tenant to bring in a new occupant while the original lease remains in place. This agreement supports a clean transition between tenants, keeps the new party bound by existing terms, and ensures the rental arrangement remains clear and legally sound for property owners.
Does a tenant need a landlord’s permission to sublease in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law does not include a statute governing subleasing, so the tenant must comply with the terms of the original lease. Many Pennsylvania lease agreements require tenants to obtain landlord approval before adding a subtenant, giving property owners precise control over the arrangement.
To cover subleasing in future leases, property owners can use a legally reviewed lease agreement builder to prepare the contract.
Information to Include in a Pennsylvania Sublease
Landlords protect their rental business by treating subleases with the same level of care as any standard lease, because the same responsibilities apply. Below is the key information landlords should include within a Pennsylvania sublease:
Names of landlord and sublessor: Provide the full legal names of the landlord and the sublessor so every party connected to the sublease stays clearly identified.
Rental unit address: List the complete address of the rental unit to confirm the exact space covered by the sublease agreement.
Length of the sublease agreement: Include the defined start and end dates to show how long the sublessor and subtenant plan to keep the arrangement active.
Rent amount: Note the monthly rent the subtenant must pay and outline the due date for each payment during the sublease term.
Division of utilities: Clarify how the parties split utility costs and consider using a landlord-tenant utility agreement to document those responsibilities.
Security deposit information: Identify the deposit amount, explain when deductions apply, and follow security deposit laws in Pennsylvania to guide the return process.
Maintenance protocols: Describe how the sublessor and subtenant handle repairs and routine care, and use insights from rental property maintenance to support clear expectations.
Property policies: Include all rules from the original lease, such as noise limits and guest guidelines, so the subtenant understands every requirement.
Early termination terms: Outline the conditions under which either party may terminate the sublease early, and explain the notice required before the agreement ends.
Landlord’s right to entry: Specify when the landlord may enter the rental property and detail the notice required before access.
Renter’s insurance: State whether the subtenant must carry renter’s insurance and note the level of coverage the sublessor expects.
Landlord’s consent to sublease: Confirm that the landlord approved the sublease and include the date when the landlord granted that consent.
Subtenant’s obligation to comply with the master lease: Make clear that the subtenant must comply with all terms of the original lease and assume the same responsibilities as the primary tenant.
Move-in condition checklist: Record the unit’s condition at move-in and consider using a move-in condition report to keep documentation complete.
Emergency contact information: Include reliable contact details for both the subtenant and the sublessor to support quick communication during urgent situations.
Guest policy: Outline the expectations for visitors, including acceptable stay lengths and any limits that protect the rental property.
Copy of master lease: Attach the original lease so the subtenant understands all obligations and sees how the sublease fits into the existing agreement.
Signatures: Have all parties e-sign the document to confirm their agreement and create a valid sublease.
Additional attachments: Add any supporting documents or property rules that help the subtenant understand the complete rental arrangement.
Taxes Implications for Short-Term Subleases
Short-term subleases in Pennsylvania can trigger hotel occupancy taxes when the stay lasts fewer than 30 days. The state charges a 6 percent hotel occupancy tax and may add local county rates, and the subtenant may see those costs included in the total rental amount (72 P.S. Section 7210).
Pennsylvania landlords support smoother compliance by reviewing their local short-term lodging tax rules, as rates and requirements vary across the state.
