Cal. Civ. Code § 250.201
Leases for Not More Than Three Years
Operative Text
Real property, including any personal property thereon, may be leased for a term of not more than three years by a landlord or his agent to a tenant or his agent, by oral or written contract or agreement.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.201, Pennsylvania law permits residential and commercial real property — along with any personal property located on it — to be leased for periods of up to three years through either an oral or a written agreement. Both the landlord and the tenant may act through authorized agents when entering into such a lease. Leases exceeding three years are subject to different legal requirements not addressed by this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.201, landlords and their authorized agents have the flexibility to enter into leases of up to three years in duration using either a written or an oral contract. Compliant operators typically use written agreements even when the law does not strictly require it, as written leases create a clearer record of the agreed-upon terms. Landlords who intend to lease property for longer than three years should be aware that this provision does not govern those arrangements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 68 P.S. § 250.201 establishes that a lease covering your rental — including any personal property on the premises — can be validly formed for up to three years, whether it was made orally or in writing. Tenants should be aware that an oral lease can still be legally binding under this provision, though the terms of an oral agreement may be harder to document if a dispute arises. Tenants with questions about whether their lease is enforceable or what rights they hold under it may find it helpful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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