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.
Unlike San Francisco or Los Angeles, Philadelphia has not enacted a buyout disclosure or registration scheme. A landlord and tenant may negotiate a voluntary cash payment in exchange for surrendering possession, but the agreement must comply with general contract principles and cannot waive statutory tenant rights such as relocation assistance under Phila. Code 9-810 if the tenancy is covered by Good Cause Eviction. Tenants should obtain written terms and a signed release. The Fair Housing Commission encourages tenants to seek counsel from Community Legal Services before signing because once executed, the agreement typically forecloses any later eviction defense.
A coercive or fraudulent buyout that conceals the tenant's right to relocation assistance under Code 9-810 may be voidable and could expose the landlord to harassment claims under Code 9-804.
Philadelphia, PA
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Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Code 9-804 prohibits landlords from harassing or retaliating against tenants who assert housing rights. Conduct intended to force a tenant to va...
Philadelphia, PA
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See how Philadelphia's cash-for-keys agreements rules stack up against other locations.
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