Here is a good summary of PA security deposit rules:https://www.thebalance.com/pennsylvania-security-d...Failure to return the deposit within the thirty days in PA is penalized by doubling the deposit.

The distinction about my contributions being un-penalized was clutch.

In this scenario -- they will make 52 payments of $250 a year, or a total of $13,000 (one extra rent payment).But, the implication of doing that seems rather unethical to me, unless you are letting them know you up front you are penalizing them for paying rent in that fashion.  

Let's pretend it's a generous 1 yr CD with no early withdrawal penalty.7 year CD: 2% and penalized six months of interest if you pull funds out early.If you pull funds out after exactly 12 months, it's a wash:1 yr CD @ 1 yr: $10k * 1% = $100.7 yr CD @ 1 yr with penalty: $10k * 2% - [$10k * 2% / 2] = $100.After 18 months...1 yr CD @ 1.5 years: $10k * 1% * 1.5 years = $150.7 yr CD @ 1.5 years and penalized six months of interest: $10k * 2% * 1.5 years - [$10k * 2% * 0.5 years] = $200.So there's your low risk / low reward "CD hacking" tip of the day to get rich by earning an extra $50 on $10k after a year and a half.

My sons room had a chalk board walk so I primed it and was penalized.

When you take early distribution from an IRA you will have to pay penalties and the amount you take will be considered income so you will have to pay ordinary income tax on it.Roth contributions can come out tax-free, but the earnings will be taxed and penalized also.https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-if-i-withdraw-mo...

I penalize heavily the failure to notify in advance.

If your property is in Chicago, the city may make you put those squatters in a hotel while they make you remodel the attic up to code, and then let them move back in and penalize you by giving them a year of rent free!!!

Or, is the "utility allowance" mainly left up to the owner's 'discretion' and the local housing authority won't penalize or shut you down as long as your rent seems fair for the tenant's income?

People with bad credit are penalized by the availability, amount, and cost of capital.