Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: Small Claims for a Security Deposit
Limits: $12,000 (statewide). E-filing: No. Court: Magisterial District Court (MDJ). Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced).
Filing facts
| State small claims limits | $12,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Statewide filing fee | Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced) |
| E-filing | No |
| Time limit to sue in Pennsylvania | 4 years. |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Penalty formula | 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. |
| Deposit statute | 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a (Escrow Funds Limited, codified from Section 511.1 of the Act), 250.511b (Interest on Escrow Funds, Section 511.2), 250.511c (Bond in Lieu of Escrowing, Section 511.3), 250.512 (Recovery of Improperly Held Escrow Funds) - The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, Act of Apr. 6, 1951, P.L. 69, No. 20, as amended |
The fee depends on how much you claim; the court's schedule above shows the tiers.
Where to file
Magisterial District Court (MDJ)
Courthouse city: Greensburg
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Court page check not recorded
See how to file in Pennsylvania for the state filing procedure.
Rent and deposits in Westmoreland County
County median gross rent: $843 per month.
| Bedrooms | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $648 |
| 1 bedroom | $659 |
| 2 bedrooms | $878 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,039 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,142 |
Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $878; two months is $1,756. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $878.
State legal maximum deposit in Pennsylvania: Year 1 of lease: max 2 months' rent ($1,756 at the example rent) (68 P.S. §250.511a(a)). Year 2+ / renewals: max 1 month's rent ($878 at the example rent) (§250.511a(b)). No increase permitted after 5 years' tenancy (§250.511a(d)).
Total households in Westmoreland County: 154,385.
Renter households: 33,574 (21.7% of all households).
Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 11.9%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.
County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed .
Will my deposit claim fit the limit?
Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Westmoreland County, $878 per month.
The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.
- Compared with $12,000 (statewide), the whole deposit range fits.
A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.
Towns this court serves
A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.
- Adamsburg
- Arnold
- Arona
- Avonmore
- Bolivar
- Delmont
- Derry
- Donegal
- East Vandergrift
- Export
- Greensburg
- Hunker
- Hyde Park
- Irwin
- Jeannette
- Latrobe
- Laurel Mountain
- Ligonier
- Lower Burrell
- Madison
- Manor
- Monessen
- Mount Pleasant
- Murrysville
- New Alexandria
These towns and 19 more are in Westmoreland County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.
Free help in Westmoreland County
- Summit Legal Aid
Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents, including housing and tenant matters.
Phone: (800) 846-0871
These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.
From letter to filing
- 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.
This template uses Pennsylvania law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.
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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Westmoreland County?
Statewide filing fee: Statewide MDJ tiered filing fee, approx. $58.25-$99.25 depending on claim amount (secondary-sourced)
How long do I have to sue?
Time limit to sue in Pennsylvania: 4 years.
Where do I file?
Magisterial District Court (MDJ). Courthouse city: Greensburg. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.