--98.237.xx.xx

Whichever is later or sooner? --73.19.xxx.xx

Sooner --98.237.xx.xx

Yes when the unit is returned. --172.59.xxx.xxx

Failure of the tenant to provide the landlord with his new address in writing upon termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises shall relieve the landlord from any liability under this section. --98.236.xxx.xx

He emailed me on 3/24 with his fwd' address and left me know that he left the apartment on 3/17. My attorney said the clock would start on 3/24. --98.237.xx.xx

Thank you, Kevin. --73.19.xxx.xx

If he is suing you find a reason to counter sue him --38.248.xx.xx

Did he truly remove everything from the unit....if he left anything behind then he did not vacate the property. --173.69.xxx.xxx

--64.246.xxx.xx

I always felt the clock started when I got the keys back since in my mind that is relinquishing possession --174.245.xxx.xx

Yes. My clock doesn’t start until they text me that they’re done. --24.152.xxx.xx

In California our clock starts when the property is returned. My tenants are $2900 a month flavor so midnight move outs are rare. I still keep in contact every other day and the to be sure I know when they are gone. We must offer a walk thru 2 week prior to move out so we have a good idea of damage if any and the cost. Most times my tenants tell me what broke and don’t try to lie about damage. 95% of the items are normal wear and tear. I don’t nickel and dime my tenants on repairs. --99.23.xxx.x

I have 45 days after tenant mails me a written forwarding address. --162.204.xxx.xxx

In the section about security deposits my lease says that the account is returned with in 30 days and the 30 day count does not start until two things have happened. The tenant notifies the landlord that he is out and the unit has been returned to the landlord and all of the tenant's possessions have been removed from the property. --76.178.xxx.xxx

If a tenant has paid the full last month's rent, in my mind they have access to the place until the last day of the month, whether or not they have their couch moved out early. --173.28.xx.xxx

I’ve had lots of folks leave in the middle of the month, but they pay the last month‘s rent and my 45 days don’t begin until the last day of the month --172.58.xxx.xxx

FYI. The purpose of my post was a learning tool. Based on some of the comments some of you were under my assumption about when "the clock starts". So my advice is to really read your states Landlord Tenant Act. Here is PA; Section 512 states that its either 30 days from the last tenancy OR when the tenant surrenders the unit. Big difference. And it doesn't matter hill of beans what your lease states. You need to follow your state's ACT. Happy Landlording. --98.237.xx.xx

Also FYI I have had tenants move out before the lease ends, they told me they were moving out. I have then taken them to court (multiple cases) and won rent for the period between when they moved out and my lease end date. Of course i had to "mitigate" my damages by attempting to rent the place, but tenant was responsible for the rent until the LEASE termination date (unless they met special requirements for early lease termination). --173.69.xxx.xxx

--173.69.xxx.xxx

Looks like PA security deposit laws were recently updated. --173.69.xxx.xxx

I have 30 days to get them an accounting and/or refund. If I can't get it finalized by then, I send an interim accounting with a final due within 60 days total. --173.28.xx.xxx

--107.147.xx.xx

Zero, I've always wondered that - I remember some state requiring 5% when banks were essentially paying negative interest. I guess the goal is to force a Landlord into foregoing a deposit because it's not worth the hassle? --173.28.xx.xxx

Sounds like a reason to start all the add-on fees. --107.147.xx.xx

Does he not have the unit the end of the month? --73.230.xxx.xx

@MC. He paid for it thru March but "surrendered" the unit on 3/17 so thats when the 30 day clock starts here in PA. --98.237.xx.xx

@MC. He paid for it thru March but "surrendered" the unit on 3/17 so thats when the 30 day clock starts here in PA. --98.237.xx.xx

On what date did you mail the letter? --98.236.xxx.xx

However, it seems you are saying the actual law says if they give 30 days notice but leave after 10 days you owe them the balance of the month. I don't know but that is very disturbing. i'm going to have to think on this one. --98.237.xxx.xx

I would say you may owe a tenant who leaves on the 10th and you re-rent it on the 11th. At that point, you’re collecting double rent. I don’t care about that either way personally, but I could see a judge siding with a departing tenant that you kept rent that you possibly shouldn’t have. Early termination fee, totally diffferent. --24.152.xxx.xx

I thought was SD clock not rent? --173.28.xx.xxx

@WMH. Exactly. they aren't reading. --98.237.xx.xx

Yes. If rented during the surrendered time, I can see prorating but otherwise too bad. --73.230.xxx.xx

Your truncated version of 68 P.S. § 250.512(a) contains a material omission. It's not simply "at lease termination or when the tenant surrenders the unit". The Statute says: "within thirty days of termination of a lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises ..." While I don't believe there was any ACCEPTANCE OF THE LEASEHOLD PREMISES on 3/17, that appears to be the assertion your tenant's attorney is making, so you are in luck. 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512(e) provides that failure of the tenant to provide the landlord with his new address in writing upon termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises shall relieve the landlord from any liability under this section. Tenant failed to provide you with his new address in writing on 3/17, which he claims is the date of surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises. Therefore you are relieved from any liability under 68 P.S. § 250.512. Your own attorney gave you the correct date for when you should consider the clock to start - 3/24. You should listen to your own attorney, rather than some - probably pro bono legal aid attorney - who has been engaged by a disgruntled tenant to write a fear-mongering demand letter. --98.236.xxx.xx

The mailing address for purposes of the deposit accounting and correspondence is: --76.176.xxx.xxx

for those who are OCD i use a USPS form 3817 certificate of mailing form for the deposit accounting and refund, if any. the local courts accept them like a certified and they're cheaper. we have 3 weeks here in CA to account for the deposit AND mail it. the 3817 is my proof of compliance --76.176.xxx.xxx

I also use form 3817, proof of mailing as my state requires only proof of mailing. Yes I've used it in Court and it was upheld despite the tenant pleading "but judge I never received..." Does not matter I have proof of mailing --172.59.xxx.xxx