Rental Property Rules in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
11 verified rental property rules for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Pennsylvania effectively preempts local rent control. No municipality in PA, including Philadelphia, has rent control or rent stabilization laws. Philadelphia has enacted tenant protections including good cause eviction requirements and unfair rental practice prohibitions under §9-804, but cannot cap or limit rent increases.
Philadelphia Rent Control & Stabilization
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Philadelphia has good cause eviction protections. Landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice with good cause reasons to terminate or not renew a lease. If no proper notice is given, the lease automatically renews month to month. Unfair rental practices are prohibited under §9-804, including retaliatory evictions within 6 months of a tenant complaint.
Philadelphia Just Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsRental Registration
Phila. Code §9-3902 requires a rental license for every dwelling unit let for occupancy. The annual fee is $55 per unit, with a maximum of $22,000 per building. No person may collect rent without a valid rental license. Licenses can be suspended for lead disclosure violations under §6-803(3).
Philadelphia Rental Property Registration
Heavy RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
Philadelphia's Good Cause Eviction Ordinance requires landlords ending tenancies for no-fault reasons to pay tenants relocation assistance. Amounts are pegged to two or three months of rent depending on the eviction reason.
Relocation Assistance for Certain No-Fault Evictions
Some RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act caps residential security deposits at two months' rent in the first year and one month after that. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions.
Security Deposit Capped Under PA Landlord-Tenant Act
Some RestrictionsCash-for-Keys Agreements
Philadelphia has no dedicated cash-for-keys ordinance. Voluntary buyout agreements between landlords and tenants are governed by general contract law and the Good Cause Eviction Ordinance's relocation rules where the tenancy is otherwise covered.
No Specific Buyout Ordinance in Philadelphia
Few RestrictionsNo-Fault Evictions
Philadelphia restricts no-fault evictions through its Good Cause Eviction Ordinance and the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act. Landlords must state a permitted reason, give proper notice, and pay relocation assistance when ending tenancies without tenant fault.
No-Fault Evictions Limited by Good Cause Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsPass-Through Charges
Philadelphia has no formal rent control system, so pass-through charges are governed mainly by the lease and Pennsylvania consumer protection law. Mid-tenancy fee increases generally require written notice and lease authorization.
Limited Pass-Throughs Under Pennsylvania Law
Some RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Philadelphia Code 9-804 prohibits landlords from harassing or retaliating against tenants who assert housing rights. Conduct intended to force a tenant to vacate, including utility shutoffs and threats, is enforceable through the Fair Housing Commission.
Anti-Harassment Protections for Renters
Heavy RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance, Code 9-1108, makes source of income a protected class. Landlords cannot refuse Housing Choice Vouchers, Social Security, child support, or other lawful income when screening applicants or renewing leases.
Source of Income a Protected Class in Philadelphia
Heavy RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
The Philadelphia Housing Authority administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers across the city. Landlords may not refuse vouchers because Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance makes source of income a protected class for housing.
Section 8 Vouchers Through PHA Plus SOI Protection
Some RestrictionsLooking for Philadelphia County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Philadelphia city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Philadelphia County →