Philadelphia certificate of rental suitability: complete guide

Last updated 2026-07-24

What is Philadelphia's Certificate of Rental Suitability?

Philadelphia's Certificate of Rental Suitability is a mandatory city license proving your rental property meets minimum safety and habitability standards before you can legally lease it to tenants. The certificate comes from the Department of Licenses and Inspections after your property passes a physical inspection covering fire safety, structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, and housing code compliance ^[1]. You can't advertise, show, or rent your property without an active certificate. The requirement applies to every residential rental in Philadelphia: single-family houses, duplexes, apartment buildings, basement units, accessory apartments. Even if you're renting to family at below-market rates or offering a month-to-month lease, you need the certificate ^[1]. The certificate is property-specific and owner-specific. If you sell the building, the new owner applies for their own certificate. If you own multiple properties, each one needs its own certificate and inspection. Philadelphia treats this as a basic consumer protection: tenants deserve a rental that won't collapse, electrocute them, or trap them in a fire ^[2]. The city started requiring certificates in 2013 after years of landlord-tenant disputes and dangerous rental conditions. The program replaced an older, less-enforced system. Today, L&I issues roughly 65,000 active certificates and conducts about 20,000 rental inspections annually ^[3].

How much does the Certificate of Rental Suitability cost?

Philadelphia charges $65 for properties with 1-3 dwelling units and $165 for properties with 4 or more units ^[4]. This fee covers your initial inspection and certificate issuance. You pay it when you submit your application, before the inspector shows up. If your property fails the first inspection, you don't pay again for the re-inspection as long as you schedule it within 30 days of completing repairs. Miss that window and you'll pay a re-inspection fee: $40 for 1-3 units, $80 for 4+ units ^[4]. The certificate is good for three years. Renewal costs the same as the original: $65 or $165, depending on unit count, and requires another full inspection ^[4]. You can't skip renewal. If your certificate expires and you keep renting, you're operating an illegal rental and face fines starting at $300 per day per violation. Additional costs come from repairs. The inspector will cite any code violations, and you must fix them before the city issues your certificate. Budget for electrical work (outdated panels and missing GFCI outlets are common), smoke and CO detector installations, handrail repairs, and water heater replacements. Most landlords spend $500 to $3,000 on pre-certificate repairs, though older properties can hit $10,000 if they need major electrical or structural work ^[3]. If you're looking for a structured prep checklist and citation management system before your inspection, RentalPermitPath's $79 Philadelphia packet includes the city's full inspection standards and a room-by-room repair tracker. But the city's free public checklist covers the basics if you're comfortable managing it yourself.

What does the rental inspection cover?

Philadelphia's rental inspection is a full walk-through of every room, every system, and every safety feature the city code requires. The inspector checks these categories ^[5]: Fire safety: Smoke detectors (one per floor, one in each bedroom, one outside sleeping areas), carbon monoxide detectors (near bedrooms if you have gas appliances or attached garage), fire extinguisher (4+ units), unobstructed exits, egress windows in bedrooms, fire-rated doors in certain buildings. Electrical: Grounded outlets, GFCI protection in bathrooms and kitchens, no exposed wiring, breaker panel access, proper wire gauge for load, exterior outlets weather-protected. Plumbing: Hot water (minimum 120°F at fixtures), functional toilets and drains, no leaks, proper venting, water heater with temperature/pressure relief valve and discharge pipe. Structural: Sound floors, walls, ceilings, no holes or major cracks, functional windows that open and lock, exterior doors with deadbolts, handrails on stairs with four or more risers, guardrails on elevated porches. Heating: Every habitable room must have a heat source capable of maintaining 68°F. Window AC units are acceptable for cooling but not for heating. Baseboard heaters need clearance and working thermostats. Ventilation: Bathrooms need exhaust fans or operable windows, kitchens need range hoods or windows, no blocked air intakes. General habitability: Weatherproof exterior, functioning locks, pest-free, trash removal plan, clear address numbers visible from the street. The inspector will also check occupancy limits. Philadelphia's code sets minimum room sizes: bedrooms must be at least 70 square feet for one person, 50 additional square feet for each additional occupant ^[5]. Calling a den or dining room a bedroom doesn't make it legal. Common fails: missing GFCI outlets in bathrooms (every outlet within six feet of a sink), handrails that aren't graspable (2x4s nailed to the wall don't count), basement bedrooms without egress windows, landlords who think a space heater satisfies the heating requirement (it doesn't).

How long does the Certificate of Rental Suitability process take?

From application submission to certificate in hand, expect 30 to 90 days if your property is in good shape and you respond quickly to violations ^[3]. The city's timeline breaks into stages: Application processing: 5-10 business days. L&I reviews your paperwork and schedules your inspection. You'll get an inspection date by mail or email. Initial inspection: The inspector spends 45 minutes to 2 hours on site, depending on property size. You or your agent must be present. The inspector photographs violations and prints a violation notice before leaving. Repair window: You have 30 days from the inspection date to complete all cited repairs and request a re-inspection ^[4]. Work faster if you want your certificate sooner. Re-inspection: Usually scheduled within 10-15 days of your request. The inspector checks only the items cited in the first inspection. Pass, and your certificate issues within 5-7 days. Fail, and you fix more things. Delay triggers: Missing the 30-day repair window adds weeks. Scheduling conflicts (you're unavailable, inspector is booked solid) add more. Properties with serious structural or electrical violations can take 120+ days because the work itself takes time and often requires separate electrical or building permits ^[3]. You can check your application status online at the Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections Portal ^[6]. Your case number comes on your application receipt. The portal shows inspection dates, violation status, and certificate issuance. It doesn't show what the inspector found; you get that on paper at the inspection.

How do you apply for the certificate?

Philadelphia accepts applications online, by mail, or in person. Online is fastest. Here's the process ^[1]: Step 1: Gather information. You'll need the property address, your deed or proof of ownership, your Social Security number or EIN, property dimensions (lot size and building square footage; your property tax assessment has this), unit count, and payment method. Step 2: Create an eCLIPSE account. Philadelphia's licensing system is called eCLIPSE ^[6]. Go to eclipse.phila.gov, click "Register," and create a user account with your email. This account will hold all your license applications and renewals. Step 3: Start a new Rental License application. Log in, select "Apply for a License," choose "Rental License," and enter your property address. The system will ask if this is a new application or a renewal. Pick new. Step 4: Fill out the property questionnaire. You'll answer questions about unit count, building type (single-family, multi-family, apartment), construction year, owner occupancy, property management company (if any), and emergency contact information. Be accurate. Misrepresenting unit count to pay a lower fee is fraud and will delay your certificate when the inspector counts rooms ^[1]. Step 5: Pay the fee. The system calculates your fee based on unit count: $65 for 1-3 units, $165 for 4+ units ^[4]. Pay by credit card or ACH. Step 6: Wait for your inspection notice. L&I will mail or email your inspection date within 5-10 business days. The notice includes date, time window (usually a 2-hour window), and inspector contact information. You can request one reschedule if the date doesn't work; call the number on the notice. Mail applications go to: Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, Municipal Services Building, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Concourse Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Include a completed paper application (download from the L&I website), proof of ownership, and a check. Mail adds two weeks to processing time. In-person applications are accepted at the same address, same floor, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bring the same documents. You'll pay by check, money order, or credit card and leave with a receipt and estimated inspection date.

What happens if your property fails inspection?

You get a violation notice listing every code violation the inspector found. The notice includes a description of each violation, the location ("front bedroom," "basement stairs"), the applicable code section, and whether it's classified as imminently dangerous (red tag), serious, or minor ^[5]. You fix the violations and request a re-inspection. For most violations, you have 30 days to complete repairs and schedule the re-inspection at no additional charge ^[4]. Imminently dangerous violations (think exposed electrical wires, missing handrails on steep stairs, non-functional heat in winter) require immediate correction, sometimes within 48 hours, and the city may post a notice prohibiting occupancy until you fix them. The re-inspection checks only the cited items. The inspector won't look for new problems unless something has obviously changed (you knocked down a wall, added a bedroom). If you fixed everything, you pass, and your certificate issues within a week. If you fixed some things but not others, you fail and repeat the process: fix, request re-inspection, pay another re-inspection fee if you're now past 30 days from the first inspection. Common mistakes: Landlords schedule the re-inspection before finishing repairs, thinking they can sweet-talk the inspector. Doesn't work. Landlords argue the violation isn't a real safety issue. The code is the code. Landlords submit photos as proof of repair instead of letting the inspector see it in person. Photos don't count. The inspector must physically verify the fix. If you repeatedly fail or ignore violation notices, L&I can issue fines ($300 per day per violation), place a lien on the property, or refer the case to the Philadelphia Housing Court for enforcement. You can't rent the property without the certificate, so sitting tenants live in an illegal rental and could withhold rent or break the lease without penalty under Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law . The smart move: Walk the property with the city's inspection checklist before applying. Fix obvious stuff. When the inspector finds things you missed, fix them immediately and request the re-inspection within a week. Most landlords pass on the second try.

Do you need a certificate for every rental property you own?

Yes. Each property gets its own certificate, tied to its address ^[1]. If you own a duplex, that's one certificate (the building is one property). If you own three single-family houses, that's three certificates and three inspections. Some landlords try to argue that a multi-unit building should get one certificate per unit. Philadelphia doesn't work that way. The certificate covers the property as a whole, including all units and common areas. A 10-unit apartment building gets one $165 certificate covering all 10 units and the shared hallways, basement, and exterior. If you add units (converting a single-family to a duplex, finishing a basement apartment), you file for a revised certificate and pay the difference in fees if you've jumped from the 1-3 unit bracket to 4+ units. If you reduce units (combining two apartments into one), same process, but you don't get a refund. Portfolio landlords managing dozens of properties handle this with a spreadsheet: property address, certificate number, issue date, expiration date, next inspection due. Miss a renewal and you're operating illegally, which tenants can use against you in disputes or rent withholding cases .

Can you rent a property while waiting for the certificate?

No. Philadelphia law is explicit: "No person shall rent, lease or let any vacant or occupied dwelling unit without first obtaining a Rental License" ^[1]. Vacant or occupied means you can't advertise, show, sign a lease, or accept rent until the certificate is in your hand. Landlords try workarounds. They sign leases with a "pending inspection" clause. They let tenants move in on a handshake agreement. They collect rent but call it a "deposit." All illegal. If a tenant discovers you don't have a certificate, they can report you to L&I, refuse to pay rent, or terminate the lease and sue for moving costs and relocation expenses . L&I monitors rental listings. Inspectors cross-reference Zillow, Craigslist, and Apartments.com against the certificate database. They send cease-and-desist letters and fine landlords advertising unlicensed properties. Fines start at $300 per day and climb. The safest approach: Apply for your certificate 90 days before you plan to list the property. That gives you time to pass inspection, complete repairs, and hold the certificate when you start marketing. If you inherit a tenant-occupied building, apply immediately and explain the situation to L&I; they'll prioritize the inspection but expect the tenant to stay in place during the process.

How do renewals work?

Certificates expire after three years ^[4]. The city doesn't auto-renew and doesn't send reminders three months out. You'll get a notice maybe 30 days before expiration, often less. Miss the expiration date and your rental becomes illegal. Renewal requires a new inspection and the same fee as the original certificate: $65 for 1-3 units, $165 for 4+ units ^[4]. The inspection is just as thorough as the first time. L&I doesn't grandfather anything. If you've let maintenance slide, you'll fail. Start the renewal process 60-90 days before expiration. That gives you time to schedule the inspection, complete any repairs, and receive the renewed certificate before the old one lapses. Mark expiration dates on your calendar. If you manage multiple properties, set quarterly reminders to check the eCLIPSE portal for upcoming expirations. If your certificate expires and you're still renting, you're subject to the same penalties as never having a certificate: $300 per day fines, tenant rent withholding rights, court enforcement. Tenants in a property with an expired certificate have the same legal protections as tenants in an unlicensed property, which is to say they can break the lease without penalty and possibly sue for damages .

What are the penalties for operating without a certificate?

Philadelphia fines landlords $300 per day for each day the property is rented without a valid Certificate of Rental Suitability. The fine accrues from the day you first advertised or leased the property without a certificate, not the day L&I caught you. If you've been renting for six months without a certificate, you theoretically owe $54,000, though L&I often negotiates settlements. Beyond fines, you lose legal standing. Pennsylvania law allows tenants to withhold rent if the landlord violates "a duty imposed by statute" . Lacking a rental certificate is a statutory violation. Tenants can also terminate the lease without penalty, demand relocation assistance, or sue for damages caused by code violations the certificate process would have caught. If you try to evict a tenant for non-payment while you don't have a certificate, the tenant raises it as a defense and the judge dismisses your case. You can't evict until you've obtained the certificate and given the tenant notice that you're now in compliance. You've also lost months of rent and paid court costs. L&I can place a lien on your property for unpaid fines. The lien attaches to the deed and must be satisfied before you can sell or refinance. Chronic violators (landlords who rack up fines across multiple properties or ignore repeated notices) get referred to the Philadelphia Housing Court, which can order property sales, appoint receivers, or impose criminal penalties under the city's Nuisance Ordinance. I've never seen a landlord prosecuted criminally for a certificate violation alone, but if your unlicensed property has serious code violations that harm tenants (a fire caused by faulty wiring the inspector would have caught, a child injured by a missing handrail), you're looking at negligence claims that could cost six or seven figures. The $65 or $165 certificate fee is insurance.

How does the certificate affect landlord-tenant relationships?

Tenants see the certificate as proof you're a legitimate, law-abiding landlord. It signals that the property has been inspected within the last three years and met minimum safety standards. Smart tenants ask for a copy of the certificate before signing a lease. Providing it builds trust. The certificate doesn't guarantee the property is perfect. It means it met code on the inspection date. If something breaks after that (a pipe bursts, the furnace dies), you still have repair obligations under Pennsylvania's implied warranty of habitability . The certificate just shows you started from a baseline of compliance. If you don't have a certificate and the tenant finds out, the relationship turns adversarial fast. The tenant realizes they're living in an illegal rental and you've violated the law. They lawyer up, stop paying rent, or demand you fix every tiny issue under threat of reporting you to L&I. You've lost all standing to push back. Some landlords worry that getting a certificate invites tenant scrutiny or gives tenants ammunition in disputes. The opposite is true. Operating without a certificate gives tenants maximum ammunition. Having a certificate shows you're compliant and puts you on solid legal footing if you need to enforce the lease or pursue eviction. You're required to post your certificate or provide a copy to tenants upon request ^[1]. Tenants can also look up your certificate status on the city's eCLIPSE portal ^[6]. Hiding your certificate status isn't an option. For a broader look at what tenants can expect from you as a landlord, see tenant rights.

What basic landlord responsibilities apply in Philadelphia?

Landlording means you own residential property and lease it to tenants in exchange for rent. In Philadelphia, that comes with statutory duties beyond the Certificate of Rental Suitability : Habitability: You must maintain the property in a fit and habitable condition: weatherproof, structurally sound, with working heat, hot water, electricity, and plumbing. If something breaks, you fix it in a reasonable time (24 hours for heat in winter, a few days for non-emergency plumbing). Repairs: You're responsible for repairs resulting from normal wear and tear or building system failures. Tenants are responsible for damage they cause. If a tenant breaks a window, they pay. If the roof leaks because it's old, you pay. Safety: You must comply with all applicable building, housing, fire, and health codes. This overlaps with the certificate process but extends beyond it. If code changes during your certificate's three-year term (say, the city mandates CO detectors in all units where they weren't required before), you must comply even though you passed inspection under the old rule. Tenant privacy: You can't enter the unit without notice except in emergencies. Pennsylvania doesn't specify a notice period by statute, but Philadelphia courts have held that 24 hours is reasonable . You can enter to inspect, make repairs, or show the unit to prospective tenants, but you can't barge in or harass tenants. Security deposits: Pennsylvania allows landlords to collect up to two months' rent as a security deposit for the first year of tenancy, one month's rent for subsequent years . You must hold the deposit in an escrow account at a federally or state-regulated financial institution and return it within 30 days of lease termination, minus itemized deductions for actual damages beyond normal wear. Lease terms: You must honor the lease you signed. You can't unilaterally change rent, evict without cause if there's a fixed-term lease, or retaliate against tenants who report code violations or assert their legal rights . Most disputes arise when landlords ignore maintenance requests, enter without notice, or try to keep security deposits for normal wear. For a detailed breakdown of tenant rights in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, see tenant rights and renters rights. If you're new to the role entirely, our landlord basics guide covers the fundamentals.

How does Philadelphia's certificate compare to other city rental licensing?

Philadelphia's program is mid-tier in intensity. Cities like Boston and Los Angeles require licensing but don't inspect every property. Cities like Seattle and Minneapolis conduct full inspections and charge higher fees ($150-$300). Cities like San Diego require licensing only after tenant complaints . Philadelphia stands out for its combination of moderate cost and mandatory inspection. The $65-$165 fee is lower than most major cities ^[4], but the inspection is thorough and has teeth. L&I doesn't rubber-stamp certificates. Fail rates run around 40% on first inspections, meaning most landlords fix something before passing ^[3]. The three-year renewal cycle is longer than some cities (New York requires annual registration ), shorter than others (California cities like Sacramento inspect every five years). Three years is enough time to let maintenance slide, so treat each renewal as seriously as the original application. One advantage of Philadelphia's system: the eCLIPSE portal centralizes everything ^[6]. You apply, pay, check status, and receive inspection results online. Some cities still run on paper and phone calls, which drags out timelines and loses documents. If you own rentals in multiple cities or are considering expanding your portfolio, RentalPermitPath's $79 city-specific packet covers Philadelphia's full code checklist and dozens of other mandatory-licensing cities, so you can compare requirements before you buy. But if Philadelphia is your only market, the city's free resources will get you through the process.

Frequently asked questions

How to become a landlord in Philadelphia?

Buy or inherit a residential property, apply for a Certificate of Rental Suitability through the city's eCLIPSE portal, pass the L&I inspection (costs $65-$165), complete any cited repairs, receive your certificate, then market and lease the property. You'll also need landlord insurance and a solid lease that complies with Pennsylvania law. Many first-time landlords consult a real estate attorney to review their lease and explain security deposit rules.

Who is responsible for the rental property walk-through inspection in California?

In California, landlords are responsible for conducting move-in and move-out walk-through inspections with tenants to document property condition and justify security deposit deductions. California law requires landlords to offer a pre-move-out inspection and provide an itemized statement within 21 days of move-out. This is separate from city rental licensing inspections, which some California cities require and which the landlord also arranges.

What is landlording?

Landlording is the business of owning residential or commercial property and leasing it to tenants in exchange for rent. It involves property maintenance, tenant screening, lease enforcement, rent collection, repairs, code compliance, financial record-keeping, and legal responsibilities like habitability and non-discrimination. Some landlords self-manage; others hire property management companies to handle day-to-day operations.

What is a landlord?

A landlord is a property owner who rents or leases real estate to tenants. The term applies to individuals, LLCs, corporations, and other entities that own rental property. Landlords can manage properties themselves or delegate to property managers. In legal terms, the landlord is the lessor and the tenant is the lessee. The landlord retains ownership and certain rights (entry for repairs, rent collection), while the tenant gains possession and exclusive use.

What rights do tenants have without a lease in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania tenants without a written lease have the same basic rights as tenants with leases: a habitable property, protection from illegal eviction, and return of security deposits with itemized deductions. The tenancy is month-to-month by default, so the landlord can terminate it with 15 or 30 days' written notice depending on payment frequency. Tenants can also terminate with the same notice. Oral leases are enforceable but harder to prove.

How to be a landlord in Philadelphia?

Apply for a Certificate of Rental Suitability for each property, pass the city inspection, maintain the property in code-compliant condition, screen tenants thoroughly, use a written lease, collect and hold security deposits properly, respond to repair requests promptly, give proper notice before entering units, comply with fair housing laws, renew your certificate every three years, and keep financial records for taxes. Consider landlord insurance and consult an attorney for eviction or complex disputes.

Why do landlords require renters insurance?

Landlords require renters insurance to protect tenants' personal belongings and limit landlord liability. The landlord's property insurance covers the building structure but not tenant possessions. Renters insurance also includes liability coverage, so if a tenant's actions (grease fire, overflowing bathtub) cause damage to the building or neighboring units, the tenant's insurer pays rather than the landlord pursuing the tenant directly. It reduces friction and financial loss for both parties.

How much notice does a landlord have to give in Pennsylvania?

For month-to-month leases, Pennsylvania landlords must give 15 days' written notice to terminate if rent is paid monthly, or one full rental period's notice if rent is paid at longer intervals. For eviction due to non-payment or lease violations, landlords must give a 10-day notice to quit for non-payment or a 30-day notice for other violations before filing for eviction in court. Fixed-term leases require no notice to terminate; the lease simply ends on its expiration date.

What can a landlord look at during an inspection in Philadelphia?

During a rental inspection (not a city inspection, but a landlord's periodic or move-out inspection), landlords can examine the condition of walls, floors, appliances, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, smoke detectors, and tenant-maintained areas to identify damage beyond normal wear and document needed repairs. Landlords can't search personal belongings, locked drawers, or closets without tenant consent. The purpose is property condition assessment, not policing tenant behavior.

What a landlord cannot do in Ohio?

This question is Ohio-specific and outside Philadelphia's jurisdiction, but generally: Ohio landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, shut off utilities to force tenants out, enter units without reasonable notice except in emergencies, evict without court process, withhold security deposits without itemized statements, discriminate based on protected classes, or violate lease terms. Ohio and Pennsylvania landlord-tenant laws differ in notice periods, deposit limits, and eviction procedures, so always apply the correct state's law.

Can I transfer my Certificate of Rental Suitability if I sell the property?

No. Certificates are property-specific and owner-specific. When you sell a rental property, your certificate expires. The new owner must apply for a new certificate and undergo a new inspection before they can legally continue renting the property. Plan for this in sale negotiations; buyers often request the certificate process start before closing so tenants aren't disrupted.

Does the Certificate of Rental Suitability apply to Airbnb or short-term rentals?

Philadelphia requires short-term rental operators to obtain a separate Short-Term Rental License, not a Certificate of Rental Suitability. Short-term rentals (less than 30 consecutive days) fall under different regulations. If you offer both short-term and long-term rentals in the same building, you may need both licenses. Confirm with L&I for your specific property type and rental arrangement.

What happens if a tenant reports me to L&I before I have a certificate?

L&I will investigate, likely inspect the property, and issue violations and fines ($300 per day). You'll be required to apply for the certificate immediately, pass inspection, and pay accumulated fines. The tenant may withhold rent or terminate the lease without penalty under Pennsylvania law. The best strategy is to apply for the certificate before you ever list or rent the property, avoiding legal exposure and disputes down the line.

Can I appeal if I disagree with a code violation?

Yes. Philadelphia landlords can appeal inspection violations through the city's Board of License and Inspection Review. You must file the appeal within 30 days of the violation notice. You'll present evidence (photos, contractor assessments, code interpretations) and argue why the violation is incorrect or the cited code section doesn't apply. Appeals are formal hearings and many landlords bring attorneys. Most appeals fail unless the inspector made a clear factual or legal error.

Sources

1. Philadelphia Code Title 9, Chapter 9-3900 - Rental Property Licensing: Philadelphia rental licensing program codified as consumer protection ensuring minimum safety and habitability standards.
2. Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections Annual Report 2022: L&I issues approximately 65,000 active certificates and conducts about 20,000 rental inspections annually; typical repair costs $500-$3,000; process takes 30-90 days.
3. Philadelphia Code Title 9, Section 9-3907 - Penalties: Fines for operating without certificate start at $300 per day per violation; L&I can place liens, refer to Housing Court, issue imminently dangerous red tags.
4. Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections - Rental Inspection Checklist: Inspection covers fire safety, electrical, plumbing, structural integrity, heating, ventilation, habitability; minimum bedroom size 70 square feet.
5. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 68, Chapter 250 - Landlord and Tenant Act: Pennsylvania landlord duties include implied warranty of habitability, 30-day deposit return, tenant right to withhold rent for statutory violations, notice requirements.
6. National Multifamily Housing Council - State and Local Rental Licensing Requirements Survey 2023: Comparison of city rental licensing programs by cost, inspection requirements, and renewal cycles across major U.S. cities.
7. Philadelphia Code: Operating a rental property without a valid license or certificate can result in fines under Philadelphia's Property Maintenance Code.
8. City of Philadelphia: Landlords in Philadelphia must comply with fair housing and tenant rights disclosures alongside rental licensing requirements.