Rental Property Rules in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
2 verified rental property rules for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rental Registration
Every owner of a Philadelphia dwelling unit, rooming house, dormitory, hotel, or one- or two-family rental must hold a rental license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections before collecting rent. Non-resident landlords must also register a Local Agent, and unverifiable addresses like P.O. boxes are barred citywide.
Philadelphia Rental License and Registration
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 9-3902(1)(a), (b)(.1)-(.2), (.4), (c)(.1)-(.2), (.5)
(1) Required. (a) The owner of any dwelling unit, multiple family dwelling, rooming house, dormitory, hotel, one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or rooming unit let for occupancy must obtain a rental license. No person shall collect rent with respect to any property that is required to be licensed pursuant to this Section unless a valid rental license has been issued for the property. ......
Repairs & Habitability
Philadelphia Code Section 9-816 gives tenants an enforceable right to safe, sanitary living conditions and makes it unlawful for a landlord to delay repairs or breach the implied warranty of habitability, backing that right with court-ordered rent abatement, statutory damages and license suspension.
Philadelphia Tenants' Right to Habitability
Significant RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 9-816(2)
(2) Right to Habitability. (a) Tenants shall have the right to facilities and services vital to their life, health, and safety and to the use of the premises for residential purposes throughout the duration of their tenancy. At a minimum, tenants have a right to safe and sanitary living conditions. (b) It shall be unlawful for any owner, landlord, agent, or other person operating or managing pr...