Tenant Laws: Utilities

Utilities are basic necessary services provided to residential properties by public companies. They include gas, electricity and water and sewer services. Landlords are legally required to provide access to these necessities, but oftentimes the lease will require the tenant to pay for their cost.

Utility Services Tenant Rights Act

There is a Pennsylvania law which protects tenants whose landlords fail to pay their bills. If landlord doesn’t pay gas, electric or water bills the tenant should not be required to pay the back bill to keep services on. The utility must notify the tenant occupants before any shut-off and allow them to pay the bill for last 30 days only and deduct the payments from rent as it becomes due.

Utility Assistance Programs

If the utility bill is the tenant’s obligation and you are behind in your payments call the following agencies to see whether they can assist you:

  • Energy Coordinating Agency Of Philadelphia (215) 988-0929
  • Crisis (215) 686-2590
  • LIHEAP (215) 560-2970
  • Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) (215) 829-0545
  • United Communities (215) 467-8700
English EN Spanish ES