Landlords in Philadelphia need to follow certain requirements in addition to obtaining a Rental License. Learn about how to rent your property long-term.
You need a Rental License to rent out dwelling, rooming, or sleeping units to tenants. This can include residential dwellings and units, rooms in a home, dormitories, and certain visitor accommodations.
One license can cover all units in a single building. If there are multiple buildings on your property, you must get a Rental License for each building.
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This license is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). It was previously called a Housing Inspection License.
Property owners and their agents can apply for this license.
Rental Licenses are not transferrable. If you are the new owner of a previously licensed property, you must close the old Rental License and apply for a new one.
To close a Rental License, choose “License Issue” on the online request form or call 311. Call (215) 686-8686 if you are outside of Philadelphia.
There are several requirements for renewing or receiving a new Rental License. View the requirements to:
Renew a license
This license must be renewed annually. There is a late fee for renewals filed more than 60 days after the Rental License has expired.
You will receive a notice before your license expires. L&I sends a notice to the business contact using the preferred contact method listed on the license application.
To renew, you must:
Get a license to rent out a single unit
Renting out a property is a business. Therefore, you must also have the licenses and registrations necessary to operate a business. To rent out a single unit that:
You must prove that you own the property. Acceptable records include a:
L&I will not accept an agreement of sale or a receipt of sheriff’s sale as proof of ownership.
You must identify a managing agent with a Philadelphia mailing address on the application. The agent will be responsible for interfacing with L&I.
As the owner, you will be listed as the license holder and bear legal responsibility for the license. You are also responsible for the activity license associated with the Rental License.
You must provide the name and mailing address for any person with more than 49% ownership interest, or for the two people with the largest interests.
Owners must certify that they are following lead safety laws.
Any property built before March 1978 must be certified as lead-free or lead-safe. If the property was built later, you must file for an exemption.
To receive this license, you must:
Get a license to rent out two or more units
Renting out a property is a business. Therefore, you must also have the licenses and registrations necessary to operate a business. To rent out a property that:
You must prove that you own the property. Acceptable records include a:
L&I will not accept an agreement of sale or a receipt of sheriff’s sale as proof of ownership.
You must identify a managing agent with a Philadelphia mailing address on the application. The agent will be responsible for interfacing with L&I.
As the owner, you will be listed as the license holder and bear legal responsibility for the license. You will also be responsible for the activity license associated with the Rental License.
You must provide the name and mailing address for any person with more than 49% ownership interest, or for the two people with the largest interests.
You must show that the property is legally occupied by submitting a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
If a CO isn’t available, you may submit a prior Rental License record. This only applies if the license was issued in the last three years and there has been no change to the number of units or the occupancy.
If neither a CO nor a prior Rental License Record are available, you can submit a Zoning Permit. This only applies if the use for the property was established before 2000. You must also submit an Affidavit of Continuous Use.
For more information about these documents and how to access records, use the Rental license proof of use and occupancy information sheet .
Owners must certify that they are following lead safety laws.
Any property built before March 1978 must be certified as lead-free or lead-safe. If the property was built later, you must file for an exemption.
To receive this license, you must: