Cal. Civ. Code § 250.302
Power to Distrain for Rent; Notice
Operative Text
Personal property located upon premises occupied by a tenant shall, unless exempted by article four of this act, be subject to distress for any rent reserved and due. Such distress may be made by the landlord or by his agent duly authorized thereto in writing. Such distress may be made on any day, except Sunday, between the hours of seven ante meridian and seven post meridian and not at any other time, except where the tenant through his act prevents the execution of the warrant during such hours. Notice in writing of such distress, stating the cause of such taking, specifying the date of levy and the personal property distrained sufficiently to inform the tenant or owner what personal property is distrained and the amount of rent in arrears, shall be given, within five days after making the distress, to the tenant and any other owner known to the landlord, personally, or by mailing the same to the tenant or any other owner at the premises, or by posting the same conspicuously on the premises charged with the rent. A landlord or such agent may also, in the manner above provided, distrain personal property located on the premises but only that belonging to the tenant, for arrears of rent due on any lease which has ended and terminated, if such distress is made during the continuance of the landlord's title or interest in the property.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.302, Pennsylvania law permits a landlord to seize a tenant's personal property located on the rented premises as a remedy for unpaid rent — a legal process called 'distress.' This seizure may only occur on non-Sunday days between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., unless the tenant's own actions prevent timely execution. Within five days of making the distress, written notice must be provided to the tenant and any other known property owner, identifying what was seized, the date of levy, and the amount of rent owed; this notice may be delivered in person, by mail, or by conspicuous posting on the premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords and their authorized agents operating under 68 P.S. § 250.302 generally ensure that any distress action is carried out only on weekdays or Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that the agent's authority is documented in writing before proceeding. Compliant operators prepare and deliver written notice within five days of the levy, with the notice clearly identifying the distrained property, the levy date, and the exact rent arrears claimed. When a lease has already ended, distress may still be pursued for unpaid rent, but only against property belonging to the tenant and only while the landlord retains title or interest in the premises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.302, tenants have the right to receive written notice of any distress action within five days of the seizure, and that notice must specifically describe the property taken, the date of levy, and the amount of rent claimed to be in arrears. If a landlord fails to follow the required timing, authorization, or notice procedures set out in this provision, those procedural deficiencies may be relevant to any legal challenge a tenant pursues. Tenants who believe a distress action was improperly conducted may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law to understand available options.
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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