Rent Increases in Pittsburgh: What Are My Rights?

How much notice you get

1. 1

   Generally, your landlord cannot change the rent until your lease renews, unless you both agree in writing. Check your lease for the renewal date. Some leases renew automatically unless you or your landlord give notice by a set date. Read your lease closely to find that date.

   Source:

   1. Part IV.A, Lease Terms, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. A government guide.
2. 2

   If you rent month to month, your lease renews on its own each month. Either you or your landlord can end it by giving at least 15 days' notice before the current month ends.

   Source:

   1. Part I, Types of Tenancies, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. A government guide.

If the increase is not allowed

3. 3

   Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act says landlords cannot treat you unfairly because of things like your race, sex, or disability. Most landlords cannot charge you a different rent because of one of these things. In Pittsburgh, renting is also covered by city code chapter 659.03. The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations enforces this rule.

   Sources:

   1. Policy and Law, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. A government guide.
   2. Part II, Discrimination Prohibited, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. A government guide.
4. 4

   Allegheny County passed its own anti-retaliation ordinance (a law against punishing renters for using their rights) in 2026. Under this ordinance, your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights. It covers you whether you have a written or an oral lease.

   Sources:

   1. Executive Innamorato Signs Anti-Retaliation Bill to Protect Tenants, Allegheny County. A government guide.
   2. Allegheny County Code § 885.4(a), Allegheny County Council. An agency rule.
5. 5

   The ordinance says what counts as retaliation. It includes ending your lease, refusing to renew it, or changing a lease term, such as your rent, because you took a protected action. A protected action is a lawful step toward safe and healthy housing. Examples include asking for repairs, filing a complaint with a housing or health agency, or joining a tenants' group.

   Sources:

   1. Allegheny County Code § 885.1(d), Allegheny County Council. An agency rule.
   2. Part IV.A, Lease Terms, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. A government guide.
6. 6

   If your landlord sues to evict you, the ordinance can help. You must first show you took a protected action within one year before your landlord filed the case. Then your landlord must prove with clear and convincing evidence (very strong proof) that they did not punish you for using your rights.

   Source:

   1. Allegheny County Code § 885.4(b), Allegheny County Council. An agency rule.
7. 7

   Your landlord can still overcome this protection if the judge finds you did one of these things. You held back rent or failed to pay it without a good reason. You caused serious damage to the home on purpose or through neglect. Or you caused serious harm to other tenants, or to the property's safety or finances. A lease rule you broke that your landlord knew about but never enforced may not be enough.

   Source:

   1. Allegheny County Code § 885.4(c), Allegheny County Council. An agency rule.
8. 8

   Pennsylvania law protects your right to organize with other renters (join or help run a tenants' group). Your landlord cannot end your lease or refuse to renew it because you or a family member joined one.

   Source:

   1. 68 P.S. § 250.205, Pennsylvania General Assembly. Law.