In Pennsylvania, there is no statewide requirement for landlords to have a rental license.
There is no state law that sets a specific limit on how much a landlord can increase rent. Landlords can raise it as much as the market allows, as long as it is not discriminatory or retaliatory. See more about Pennsylvania landlord-tenant rights.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ensured that tenants have the right to a decent place to live. This guarantee to decent rental housing is called the Implied Warranty of Habitability. Landlords must remedy serious defects affecting the safety or the ability to live in the rental unit.
First, the city can fine you $300 per day for every day your property has been rented without a license. For example, if the tenant has been living there for a year, you're looking at 365 days of fines – that's 365 times $300, which can add up very quickly.
Retaliate against tenants: Landlords cannot increase rent, reduce services, or threaten eviction in response to a tenant exercising legal rights, such as reporting safety violations. Enter without proper notice: Except in emergencies, landlords must provide reasonable notice before entering a rental unit.
No person, firm, or corporation managing, conducting, owning or operating a dwelling or dwelling unit shall rent, lease, let out or permit to be occupied or shall re-rent the same without first obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the Borough, as set forth by the same procedure as in §§ 101-2 and 101-7.