Haverford, PA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

The Haverford Township Housing Code of 1968 (Chapter 104, Article I), adopted by the Board of Commissioners, sets the floor for every dwelling in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania. Section 104-5 reaches anyone who occupies a dwelling as owner-occupant or lets it to another, so the duty lands on the landlord at the moment of letting.

Basic equipment comes first. Every unit needs a pressurized potable water supply approved by the Director of Code Enforcement, a kitchen sink, cooking facilities or utility connections, and a bathroom with a flush toilet, lavatory basin and tub or shower. Hot water lines must connect to heaters capable of 120° F. Heating must reach at least 68° F. three feet above the floor when it is 0° F. outside, and portable flame heaters burning gasoline, kerosene or gas do not meet the standard. Each habitable room needs two separate electric outlets, or one outlet plus a ceiling or wall light fixture.

Light and ventilation are numeric. A habitable room needs a window or skylight to the outdoors with at least 10% of the floor area, and openable area equal to at least 45% of the required window area. Every dwelling unit needs at least 600 square feet of gross habitable floor area, each sleeping room at least 120 square feet, and 60 square feet per occupant when a bedroom is shared. A basement can serve as a habitable room only if floors and walls are impervious to leakage.

Section 104-6 splits the work. Owners of buildings with two or more units keep shared areas clean, screen openings against insects and hold every occupied unit at not less than 68° F. from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Extermination falls on the owner when two or more units are infested or the owner failed to keep the unit rodentproof.