Commonly Asked Questions for Philadelphia Rental Licenses

Q: I own multiple properties within Philadelphia, can one rental license cover every property?

A: No, every residential rental property within Philadelphia must have its own rental license with a unique rental license number.

Q: I purchased a property that already has an active rental license, do I still need to apply for a rental license?

A: Yes, each rental license is registered to the individual owner. Once a property is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must register for a rental license.

Q: Do rental licenses expire?

A: Yes, each rental license is active for 1 year. Rental licenses must be renewed in advance of the expiration date to avoid any lapse in activity. If a license is renewed after the expiration date, the license will still expire on the same anniversary date.

Q: Can I begin an eviction if I do not have a rental license?

A: No, within Philadelphia, to begin a residential eviction the property owner must have an active rental license.

Q: I did not complete the lead based paint testing, can I still apply for a rental license?

A: It depends. If the property was built prior to 1978, it is required to be certified as lead safe or lead free. Even if the property was rebuilt or renovated, but initially built prior to 1978, then it must be tested for lead based paint. Uploading proof of a lead free or lead safe certificate to the city of Philadelphia is a requirement to apply for a rental license. If the property was completely built February after 1978 it is exempt from this law.

For more questions or help to register with License and Inspections contact us at 215-740-6038 or info@phillyrentallicense.com