Cal. Civ. Code § 250.301
Recovery of Rent by Assumpsit
Operative Text
Any landlord may recover from a tenant rent in arrears in an action of assumpsit as debts of similar amount are by law recoverable. In any such action, interest at the legal rate on the amount of rent due may be allowed if deemed equitable under the circumstances of the particular case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.301, Pennsylvania law authorizes landlords to pursue unpaid rent through a civil contract-based lawsuit known as an action of assumpsit, the same legal mechanism used to collect other debts of comparable size. In such a lawsuit, a court may also award interest on the overdue rent amount at the legal rate, but only if the court finds that doing so is fair given the circumstances of the case. The provision does not mandate interest — it leaves that determination to judicial discretion.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.301, landlords who are owed back rent have a recognized civil remedy: filing an assumpsit action in the appropriate Pennsylvania court to recover the unpaid balance as they would any comparable debt. Compliant operators typically maintain clear records of rent due dates, amounts owed, and any partial payments received, as this documentation supports the claim in court. Courts handling these actions may also award interest at the legal rate on top of the principal rent owed, so accurate accounting of the debt timeline can be relevant to the outcome.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.301, if a landlord files an assumpsit lawsuit to collect rent a tenant allegedly owes, the tenant has the opportunity to respond in court and present any defenses or counterclaims — such as habitability issues or improper charges — that may be relevant to the amount actually owed. The provision also allows a court to add interest to any rent found due, which means the total amount sought could exceed the base rent figure. Tenants facing such a lawsuit may find it helpful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the available options for responding.
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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