Philadelphia Residential Landlords Now Required to Obtain Certificate
If you own residential rental property in the city of Philadelphia, before you can rent an apartment or any other residential unit, you must first obtain a Certificate of Rental Suitability (the “Rental Cert”) and supply it to the tenant. The requirement applies to both first-time rental units and every time a tenant changes, whether the lease is oral or written.
Philadelphia's City Council passed a law in 2006 requiring Rental Certs, but disputes among the City, landlord groups, and tenant representatives postponed implementation. Those disputes were resolved on October 14, 2011, and the Rental Cert is now required.
Rental Certs are free and available online but are only good for leases commencing with 60 days of the date on the Rental Cert, after which a new Rental Cert is required. To get a Rental Cert, landlords must have resolved (or appealed) any open code or tax violations, have a valid Housing Inspection License, and must check a box that affirms that the property is fit for habitation, fire detection equipment is in place, and that the property will be maintained as required by law through the term of the lease.
Rental Certs can be obtained online by visiting this City web page. A landlord must also attach the City’s 20 page pamphlet, “Partners in Good Housing” to the Rental Cert provided to the tenant. The pamphlet can be found by visiting this City web page.
To learn more about Philadelphia’s Rental Certs, please contact a member of the Government Relations and Regulatory Law or Real Estate Practice Groups at Flaster/Greenberg PC.
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