Official:Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to modify the requirements related to good cause for ending a tenancy, add protections against retaliation and harassment for tenants and tenant organizations, specify tenants’ rights related to the implied warranty of habitability and provide a legal presumption related to breaches of the implied warranty of habitability, create a tenant right to organize, specify deadlines for asserting claims, and establish and enhance enforcement mechanisms, remedies, damages, and protections, all under certain terms and conditions.
Sponsor: Councilmember O'Rourke
Introduced: April 10, 2025
Voted: April 23, 2026
: Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless
Status: In Committee, step 2 of 4
This bill aims to strengthen tenants' rights in Philadelphia by modifying requirements for ending a tenancy, adding protections against retaliation and harassment, and enhancing enforcement mechanisms.
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This bill strengthens the rights and protections of tenants in the city, making it more difficult for landlords to evict them without good cause. Tenants who have already been harassed or retaliated against by landlords will now have clear recourse and penalties for their landlords, who have been engaging in unacceptable behavior. Low-income and marginalized communities, who are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity, will benefit from these new protections and clarity around their rights.
This bill increases costs for landlords and potentially limits their ability to manage their properties, which could lead to decreased investment in rental housing and fewer rental opportunities for tenants. Landlords may be forced to bear the financial burden of increased compliance with the more stringent good cause requirements and potential penalties for retaliation and harassment. The bill's provisions could also lead to increased litigation and a greater enforcement burden on municipal resources.
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