PHILADELPHIA LICENSES

Business Privilege License

In order to engage in any business, including the rental of real estate, in the City of Philadelphia, you must obtain a business privilege license (BPL).  It is a lifetime license with a one time fee, payable to the City, of $300.00.  You must have this license before filing for eviction.

In order to save you some time, you can download a copy of the form needed to apply for the BPL by clicking here. 

Useful Tip:   In a property with four (4) or less rental units, where owner lives on the premises, a BPL is not required.

Renter's License

Along with a BPL, a Renter's License is required by anyone who offers a dwelling unit or rooming unit for rent.   There are three categories of such licenses that the department issues: (1) Residential Rental License, (2) Multiple-Family Dwelling Licenses and (3) Rooming House Licenses.  This license expires every February and must be renewed annually.  The fee for this license, payable to the City, is $50.00 per unit up to a maximum of $20,000.00.  This license must also be obtained before filing for eviction.

The Renter's License application can be downloaded by clicking here.

To obtain a Rooming House License, you must have approval from the City of Philadelphia.  Click here to download the Application for Zoning/Use Registration Permit.

PHILADELPHIA CONDOMINIUM LICENSING

All multiple family condominium buildings in Philadelphia must be licensed for all units whether they are owner occupied or tenant occupied.  This license must be obtained by the condominium association or management.  Individually owned condominium units in multiple family buildings, which are rented out, are NOT required to have a separate residential rental license.  Owners of condominium units that are rented are required to have only a Business Privilege License in order to file for an eviction.

PHILADELPHIA CERTIFICATE OF RENTAL SUITABILITY

The City of Philadelphia now requires all landlords to provide tenants with a Certificate of Rental Suitability and a "City of Philadelphia Partners for Good Housing Handbook."  Click here to see the Handbook and click here to be directed to the Philadelphia Department of Licensing and Inspection.

Failure to obtain the Certificate prior to the rental of the property will effect the landlord's ability to collect rent and/or evict the tenant.

LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT OF 1951

The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. Sections 250.101-250.602) is the current statute governing the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Feel free to review the Act by clicking here.

PHILADELPHIA FAIR HOUSING ORDINANCE

The Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission was adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia and approved by the Mayor on february 8, 1962.  Its purpose is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City.  To see the Ordinance, click here.

PENNSYLVANIA HUMAN RELATIONS ACT

 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will not tolerate discriminatory practices relative to housing issues.  The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act can be seen in its entirety by clicking here.

UNIFORM CONDOMINIUM ACT

Interested in seeing the laws related to condominiums in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?  Click here to see the entire act.

 MOBILE HOME PARK RIGHTS ACT

The Mobile Home Park Rights Act (68 P.S. Sections 398.1, et seq.) is the current statute governing the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Review the Act by clicking here.

MILITARY PERSONNEL

Do you know whether your tenants are members of the military?  If not, you better find out and read this section before you attempt to evict them.   Pay particular attention to Section 531.  Also be sure to check out the Pennsylvania law related to this topic.

NOTICE TO QUIT

Prior to the filing of a Complaint for Eviction, a landlord must provide the tenant with a properly served Notice to Quit.  In order to learn the requirements of a Notice to Quit and the proper methods of service, click here.

RENT WITHHOLDING ACT

Did you know that if a dwelling unit is found unfit for human habitation the duty of the tenant to pay rent and the right of the landlord to collect rent shall be suspended until the dwelling is certified as fit for habitation.  To see the act, click here.

EVICTION OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS

If your tenants commit drug distribution offenses on or in the immediate vicinity of leased residential premises, the eviction process may be faster for you, law enforcement and/or tenant organizations within your building.  Check out the Expedited Eviction of Drug Traffickers Act. 

SPACE AND USE REQUIREMENTS

In Philadelphia, the residential property maintenance code has very specfic requirements for dwelling units and rooming units.  One such requirement is the occupancy area requirements.  Stated differently, this is the minimum amount of square footage required in a rental unit, based upon the number of occupants.  To view a chart of this information, click here.

PHILADELPHIA EVICTION DOCKETS

Did you know that once you file your eviction in Philadelphia you can check the status on-line?  Click here to get connected to the Philadelphia Landlord-Tenant docket system.  Once there, enter the name of either party or the docket number.

REAL ESTATE SELLER DISCLOSURE LAW

Did you, or someone that you know, recently purchase or sell a piece of property?  If so, then you are familiar will a seller's disclosure form and you are aware of its importance.  However, did you know that you may have a cause of action against the seller if they failed to disclose certain information? 

To discuss whether you may have a cause of action against your seller, please contact us.

To review the real estate disclosure law, please click here

LOCAL CODES AND ORDINANCES

This is a great site for locating local housing codes and ordinances.  Simply click here and then locate the state and county for which you are interested.

 NEW JERSEY LAW

Evictions Unlimited is expanding into New Jersey.  We have begun a New Jersey law section here.  Check back often as we continue to expand this area:

Obtain telephone numbers for the various New Jersey County Courts by clicking here

Atlantic County Municipalities

Camden County Eviction Costs

Gloucester County Eviction Costs

Gloucester County Procedures for Disposing of Tenant Property

New Jersey Landlord-Tenant Statutes

New Jersey Landlord Identity Statement

         City of Camden Annual Landlord Registration Statement

         Borough of Pennsgrove Annual Landlord Registration Statement

Certification by Landlord  

Consent to Enter Judgment for Possession (Tenant Vacates)

Read about Wage Attachment 

LOOKING FOR A LAWYER?

Do you, or anyone you know, need the services of a lawyer?  We can represent you in matters involving automobile accident, fall down cases, product malfunction, medical malpractice, credit problems, DUI, criminal matters, motor vehicle tickets, wills, estates, tax issues and  business matters.  Call us at 215-288-8049 or send us an e-mail to discuss your matter with a lawyer.

PHILADELPHIA TAX EXPERTS

Did you know that if you own rental real estate in the City of Philadelphia that you must file a Philadelphia tax return on an annual basis?  Did you know that failure to file such a return could result in fines of $5000.00 and/or a lien against the property?  If you need assistance with filing or have questions, call Philadelphia Tax Experts, Inc. at 866-PHILA-TAX (744-5282) to discuss your matter with a tax attorney.

REAL ESTATE SALES/PURCHASES/SERVICES

Click here to see a great website devoted to landlord issues with plenty of valuable resources, tips and information.

TIRED OF BEING A LANDLORD?

Are you frustrated with your tenants? Unhappy with the hastles and excuses related to collecting rent and maintaining your rental properties?  READY TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY?  CALL 215-892-5055 TO GET AN OFFER FOR YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY WITHIN 24 HOURS.

 TITLE COMPANY

Golden Settlement Services provides oustanding settlement services in a friendly, efficient fashion and takes the headaches out of the settlement process.  Contact Kathy at 215-426-2881 and tell her you found her at Evictions Unlimited. 

OTHER LANDLORD SERVICES

Have you provided your tenants with a lead paint pamphlet when signing a lease?

How about a lead disclosure form?