Every landlord or entity that rents-out a residential housing unit in Philadelphia is required to obtain a rental license (formerly known as a housing inspection license). The rental license itself is one piece of the compliance puzzle. There are prerequisites to being able to get the rental license, and then there are other things you must do or fulfill after you get the actual license. The following is a simple step-by-step guide to walk you through the process of getting your rental license(s):
Step 1: Obtain a Commercial Activity License and a Philadelphia Business Tax Account Number
If you need help obtaining your commercial activity license and housing rental license please click here and fill out the form and our team will get both of your licenses obtained and delivered.
Step 2: Confirm that You have the Zoning Approval & Certificate of Occupancy for the Property
You will not be able to acquire your housing rental license(s) if you do not have the zoning/use permit for the property in question.
Step 3: Ensure There Are No Outstanding Violations on the Property
The City of Philadelphia will not issue your rental license(s) if there are any outstanding violations assigned to the property.
Step 4: Make Sure Your Taxes Are Paid-Up
The City of Philadelphia will not issue your rental license(s) if there are any taxes owed on the property.
Step 5: Lead Paint Due Diligence
If the property in question was built prior to 1978 and will be occupied by a group that includes a child under the age of 6 years old, you must take the necessary steps to confirm that the property is lead-free or lead safe. You are held responsible for this by law and will be required to confirm this on the rental license application, as well as required to provide the tenants with certain statements and materials.
Step 6: Fill Out a Housing Rental License Application
If you need help obtaining your commercial activity license and housing rental license please click here and fill out the form and our team will get both of your licenses obtained and delivered
Don’t forget: You must renew your housing rental license annually.
Hopefully this guide will help you take the steps necessary to get your licenses. If not, we can help.
We can do the heavy-lifting for you! It’s a lot of steps and things can fall to the wayside when you try to do it yourself. It doesn’t make much sense to avoid getting it done, as you will be way worse-off in the long run for not doing your due diligence and getting your licenses.
Fill out the form to get started.
Hello,
I followed your steps but one question. After I gave all info and paid my licenses with a check, for which I have a receipt Now, when and how will I receive my physical copy of my license? I am assuming that city wont issue license until checks clears ?
Thank you.Diana
Greetings,
If I am doing owner occupied renting, would i need to follow all of these steps?
Is it now a new law that landlords do Not need a permit to rent? How do I find out if my landlord is claiming me for income?
Do you need to physically go down to L&I to apply or can you do it online? Step 7 says to go there but I no longer live in the area.
Do you physically need to go to L&I to apply or can you do it online? I moved and I am no longer living in the area. Thanks!
Hello. If the property’s deed lists three names, can those three names be on the rental license? If so, what steps need to be taken?
We are an LLC and have a Land Contract with the current resident. We are simply carrying the note they are the actual buyer of the home. Are we still required to obtain a rental license?
How do you get these licenses when all of the city offices are closed?
I brought a 3 story home that the old sellers made into a duplex which I will be renting each out. My question is, do I need to form an llc in PA and get an Ein for each unit and file for a license for each unit even if it’s the same house just a wall separating the families?
Hi – if you have an owner occupied duplex and renting the (1) unit – do you know how to claim the exemption of the fee through the Eclipse system? I can’t seem to get that to work out.