HB 1705 — An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for website and disclosure of flood risks.

PRINTER'S NO.   2094

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1705
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY WARREN, VITALI, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, GIRAL, KHAN,
        SANCHEZ, T. DAVIS, HADDOCK, DELLOSO, D. WILLIAMS AND CIRESI,
        JULY 7, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE, JULY 8, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the rights, obligations and liabilities of
 3      landlord and tenant and of parties dealing with them and
 4      amending, revising, changing and consolidating the law
 5      relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, further
 6      providing for definitions; and, in creation of leases,
 7      statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for
 8      website and disclosure of flood risks.
 9      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10   hereby enacts as follows:
11      Section 1.    Section 102 of the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69,
12   No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, is amended
13   by adding definitions to read:
14      Section 102.    Definitions.--As used in this act--
15      "Flood damage" means damage caused to real property or
16   personal property as a result of a natural flood event.
17      * * *
18      "Natural flood event" means a general and temporary condition
19   of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of
20   normally dry land area or of two or more properties, at least
 1   one of which is the subject property, from any of the following:
 2      (1)   Overflow of inland or tidal waters.
 3      (2)   Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface
 4   waters from any source.
 5      (3)   Mudflow.
 6      (4)   Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake
 7   or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining
 8   caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated
 9   cyclical levels.
10      * * *
11      Section 2.   The act is amended by adding a section to read:
12      Section 207.     Website and Disclosure of Flood Risks.--(a)
13   The Insurance Department shall develop and maintain a publicly
14   accessible Internet website that:
15      (1)   Includes information about flood risk, flood mitigation
16   and flood insurance.
17      (2)   Provides access to available information that identifies
18   properties in a flood hazard area.
19      (b)   Whenever real property is leased in writing, and
20   whenever a written lease for real property is renewed, the
21   landlord shall disclose the following information to the tenant:
22      (1)   Whether, to the best of the landlord's knowledge, the
23   property ever experienced flood damage. If so, the landlord
24   shall disclose how many times the property is known to have
25   experienced flood damage and shall provide estimated dates of
26   when the flood damage occurred.
27      (2)   Whether the property is in a special flood hazard area
28   or moderate risk flood hazard area, as determined by the Federal
29   Emergency Management Agency.
30      (3)   Whether the property is subject to a legal requirement

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 1   to obtain and maintain flood insurance.
 2      (4)   Whether the landlord currently holds flood insurance on
 3   the property and, if so, whether the flood insurance covers
 4   damage to a tenant's personal property.
 5      (c)   In addition to the disclosures required under subsection
 6   (b), a landlord shall include the following disclosure with a
 7   written lease:
 8      PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON FLOOD INSURANCE
 9      Many properties in Pennsylvania are experiencing increased
10      flood risks. You are encouraged to visit the Insurance
11      Department's website to review these risks. A standard
12      renter's insurance policy typically does not cover damage
13      caused by flooding. You are encouraged to speak with an
14      insurance professional about your renter's insurance policy
15      to determine whether you are covered for damage caused by
16      floods. If you are not, coverage may be available from an
17      insurance company or through the National Flood Insurance
18      Program.
19      Section 3.    This act shall take effect in 180 days.




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