Philadelphia County requires all residential rental units to hold a Rental License from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, a Certificate of Rental Suitability, and a current Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) number before collecting rent under Phila. Code 9-3901.
Philadelphia Code Section 9-3901 et seq. requires every owner of a residential rental property to obtain an annual Housing Inspection License (Rental License) from L&I. Application requires the owner to provide a BIRT account number, Commercial Activity License, and lead-safe certification for pre-1978 units per Phila. Code 6-803. Before each new tenancy, landlords must provide the tenant with a Certificate of Rental Suitability (issued by L&I within 60 days of lease signing), a copy of the owner-provided Partners for Good Housing handbook, and any outstanding L&I violation notices. License fees run approximately $56 per unit annually. Out-of-state owners must designate a Philadelphia-based managing agent. Unlicensed landlords cannot file eviction actions or collect rent, and tenants may use non-registration as an affirmative defense.
Operating without a rental license: $300 per day per unit under Phila. Code 9-3902. Failure to provide Certificate of Rental Suitability: eviction barred, rent collection barred. Lead certification violations: up to $2,000 per violation.
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