Pennsylvania Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $12,000 (statewide). Court: Magisterial District Court (also called District Court). Limitation period listed in our state data: 4 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 0/67 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
67 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 0, No 11, Not verified 56
Deposit return deadlines
- 30 days after termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs.
From a letter to court
- Send a Pennsylvania security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Pennsylvania: 4 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Varies by county
Statewide filing fee: In calendar year 2026, the costs to be charged by magisterial district judges in every civil case: Actions involving $500 or less $68.50; more than $500 but not more than $2,000 $91.00; more than $2,000 but not more than $4,000 $114.00; between $4,001 and $12,000 (see 204 Pa. Code § 29.402).
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
- constable or sheriff
Service fee: Said costs shall not include, however, the cost of postage and registered mail which shall be borne by the plaintiff.
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Appeal window: 30 days
In calendar year 2026, the costs to be charged by magisterial district judges in every civil case, except as otherwise provided in this section, shall be as follows: (1) Actions involving $500 or less ........................................................................... $68.50
Free Pennsylvania template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Pennsylvania law (68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.511c, 250.512), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $12,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Court | Magisterial District Court (also called District Court) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 4 years |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes; Applies to any deductions claimed; also, the interest-escrow requirement (§511.2) applies only to funds over $100, and only starting after the second anniversary of the deposit (year 3+) |
What you can recover
Two separate penalties, no bad-faith/willfulness requirement: (1) failure to provide the written itemized damage list within 30 days = forfeiture of ALL rights to withhold any portion of the escrowed sum (i.e., must return 100% of deposit + any unpaid interest); (2) if landlord fails to pay the tenant the difference between the deposit (plus unpaid interest) and actual damages within 30 days, landlord is liable in assumpsit for DOUBLE the amount by which the deposit exceeds actual damages, with burden of proof on actual damages resting on the landlord. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County | Philadelphia Municipal Court, Small Claims Division (Civil, up to $12,000; First Judicial District of Pennsylvania), Philadelphia | $12,000 | Statewide filing fee: Tiered by claim amount, in the same general statewide-published $58-$100+ range plus $27 (in-Philadelphia) or $45 (elsewhere in PA) per-defendant service fee; see official fee PDF at courts.phila.gov/pdf/municipal/resources/small-claims/filings-fees.pdf - not independently line-item verified in this pass | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Allegheny County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ), Fifth Judicial District - 46 district courts, Pittsburgh | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced; not verified against a primary Allegheny fee schedule in this pass) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Montgomery County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 29 district courts, Norristown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Bucks County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ), Seventh Judicial District - 18 district courts, Doylestown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Delaware County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 30 district courts, Media | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lancaster County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 19 district judges, Lancaster | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Chester County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 17 district courts, West Chester | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| York County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 19 magisterial districts, York | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Berks County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 17 district judges + 2 centralized courts, Reading | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lehigh County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ) - 14 district courts, Allentown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Westmoreland County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ), Greensburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Luzerne County | Magisterial District Court (MDJ), 11th Judicial District - 16 district courts, Wilkes-Barre | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Adams County | Magisterial District Court 51-3-04, Gettysburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Armstrong County | Magisterial District Court 33-3-03, Leechburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Beaver County | Magisterial District Court 36-2-02, Beaver | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Bedford County | Magisterial District Court 57-3-03, Defiance | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Blair County | Magisterial District Court 24-3-03, Hollidaysburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Bradford County | Magisterial District Court 42-3-01, Troy | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Butler County | Magisterial District Court 50-3-04, Cranberry Township | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cambria County | Magisterial District Court 47-3-07, Ebensburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cameron County | Magisterial District Court 59-3-01, Emporium | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Carbon County | Magisterial District Court 56-3-03, Lansford | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Centre County | Magisterial District Court 49-3-02, Bellefonte | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Clarion County | Magisterial District Court 18-3-03, Knox | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Clearfield County | Magisterial District Court 46-3-04, Houtzdale | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Clinton County | Magisterial District Court 25-3-01, Lock Haven | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Columbia County | Magisterial District Court 26-2-01, Bloomsburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Crawford County | Magisterial District Court 30-3-06, Titusville | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cumberland County | Magisterial District Court 09-1-02, Lemoyne | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Dauphin County | Magisterial District Court 12-3-04, Hummelstown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Elk County | Magisterial District Court 59-3-02, Johnsonburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Erie County | Magisterial District Court 06-1-05, Erie | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Fayette County | Magisterial District Court 14-2-01, Hopwood | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Forest County | Magisterial District Court 37-4-93, Tionesta | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Franklin County | Magisterial District Court 39-2-01, Chambersburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Fulton County | Magisterial District Court 39-4-02, McConnellsburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Greene County | Magisterial District Court 13-3-02, Waynesburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Huntingdon County | Magisterial District Court 20-3-02, Huntingdon | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Indiana County | Magisterial District Court 40-3-03, Blairsville | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Jefferson County | Magisterial District Court 54-3-03, Brookville | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Juniata County | Magisterial District Court 41-3-01, Mifflintown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lackawanna County | Magisterial District Court 45-3-02, Moscow | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lawrence County | Magisterial District Court 53-1-01, New Castle | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lebanon County | Magisterial District Court 52-1-01, Lebanon | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lycoming County | Magisterial District Court 29-1-02, Williamsport | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| McKean County | Magisterial District Court 48-3-04, Kane | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mercer County | Magisterial District Court 35-3-03, Greenville | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mifflin County | Magisterial District Court 58-3-02, Lewistown | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Monroe County | Magisterial District Court 43-3-02, Stroudsburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Montour County | Magisterial District Court 26-3-04, Danville | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Northampton County | Magisterial District Court 03-2-08, Nazareth | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Northumberland County | Magisterial District Court 08-2-01, Mt. Carmel | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Perry County | Magisterial District Court 41-3-04, Newport | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pike County | Magisterial District Court 60-3-04, Dingmans Ferry | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Potter County | Magisterial District Court 55-4-03, Galeton | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Schuylkill County | Magisterial District Court 21-3-01, Port Carbon | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Snyder County | Magisterial District Court 17-3-04, Middleburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Somerset County | Magisterial District Court 16-3-06, Meyersdale | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Sullivan County | Magisterial District Court 44-3-03, Laporte | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Susquehanna County | Magisterial District Court 34-3-03, Clifford | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Tioga County | Magisterial District Court 04-3-03, Mansfield | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Union County | Magisterial District Court 17-3-01, Lewisburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Venango County | Magisterial District Court 28-3-01, Oil City | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Warren County | Magisterial District Court 37-2-01, Warren | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Washington County | Magisterial District Court 27-2-01, Canonsburg | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wayne County | Magisterial District Court 22-3-01, Hawley | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wyoming County | Magisterial District Court 44-3-01, Tunkhannock | $12,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 67 counties
- Philadelphia County
- Allegheny County
- Montgomery County
- Bucks County
- Delaware County
- Lancaster County
- Chester County
- York County
- Berks County
- Lehigh County
- Westmoreland County
- Luzerne County
- Adams County
- Armstrong County
- Beaver County
- Bedford County
- Blair County
- Bradford County
- Butler County
- Cambria County
- Cameron County
- Carbon County
- Centre County
- Clarion County
- Clearfield County
- Clinton County
- Columbia County
- Crawford County
- Cumberland County
- Dauphin County
- Elk County
- Erie County
- Fayette County
- Forest County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Greene County
- Huntingdon County
- Indiana County
- Jefferson County
- Juniata County
- Lackawanna County
- Lawrence County
- Lebanon County
- Lycoming County
- McKean County
- Mercer County
- Mifflin County
- Monroe County
- Montour County
- Northampton County
- Northumberland County
- Perry County
- Pike County
- Potter County
- Schuylkill County
- Snyder County
- Somerset County
- Sullivan County
- Susquehanna County
- Tioga County
- Union County
- Venango County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Wyoming County
Statute says
Section 512. Recovery of Improperly Held Escrow Funds.--(a) Every landlord shall within thirty days of termination of a lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs, provide a tenant with a written list of any damages to the leasehold premises for which the landlord claims the tenant is liable. Delivery of the list shall be accompanied by payment of the difference between any sum deposited in escrow, including any unpaid interest thereon, for the payment of damages to the leasehold premises and the actual amount of damages to the leasehold premises caused by the tenant. ... (b) Any landlord who fails to provide a written list within thirty days as required in subsection (a), above, shall forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of sums held in escrow, including any unpaid interest thereon... (c) If the landlord fails to pay the tenant the difference between the sum deposited, including any unpaid interest thereon, and the actual damages to the leasehold premises caused by the tenant within thirty days after termination of the lease or surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, the landlord shall be liable in assumpsit to double the amount by which the sum deposited in escrow... exceeds the actual damages...
What this means
Tenant resources
- PALawHELP.org (Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network) - statewide legal aid directory and Security Deposits guidelegal aid
- Community Legal Services of Philadelphia - Housing Unitlegal aid in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Tenants Uniontenant union in Philadelphia, 267-289-2102
- Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) - Philly Tenant Hotlinetenant union in Philadelphia, 267-443-2500
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Bureau of Consumer Protectionag consumer, 1-800-441-2555
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Pennsylvania?
$12,000 (statewide)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 4 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
Two separate penalties, no bad-faith/willfulness requirement: (1) failure to provide the written itemized damage list within 30 days = forfeiture of ALL rights to withhold any portion of the escrowed sum (i.e., must return 100% of deposit + any unpaid interest); (2) if landlord fails to pay the tenant the difference between the deposit (plus unpaid interest) and actual damages within 30 days, landlord is liable in assumpsit for DOUBLE the amount by which the deposit exceeds actual damages, with burden of proof on actual damages resting on the landlord. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Magisterial District Court (also called District Court)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 30 days after termination of the lease or upon surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever first occurs. Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.