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.
Phila. Code 9-804 makes it unlawful for a landlord, agent, or successor to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against a tenant exercising rights under the Code, the lease, or state law. Prohibited acts include shutting off heat or utilities, removing doors or windows, refusing repairs, repeated unannounced entries, threats to report immigration status, and bad-faith eviction filings. The Fair Housing Commission can issue cease-and-desist orders, impose civil penalties, and award damages including attorney fees. Tenants may also raise harassment as an affirmative defense in any ejectment action and may file a private action in the Court of Common Pleas.
Harassing conduct can result in cease-and-desist orders, monetary damages, attorney fees, and is also a defense to any pending ejectment in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Philadelphia, PA
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See how Philadelphia's tenant anti-harassment rules stack up against other locations.
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