The short version
The two bills
| Bill | What it does |
|---|---|
| 250329-AA | Amends the rental licensing code (Title 9, Chapter 9-3900). Tenant notice of license and inspection results, certificate timing for tenant requests and evictions, rent bar during noncompliance, 30-day cure for unsafe conditions, private right of action. |
| 250330-AA | Amends landlord and tenant protections (Chapter 9-800). Good cause required for any non-renewal, presumption of retaliation, tenant organizing rights, habitability presumption and rent abatement, damages and a 2-year limitations period. |
Together they are known as the Safe Healthy Homes Act. Council passed both 16-1 on April 23, 2026. Mayor Cherelle Parker signed them May 7, 2026.
Every change, requirement by requirement
1. Rent and possession are tied to compliance
During any period of noncompliance, or while a license is suspended, the owner may not collect rent or recover possession. Rent collected while the property lacked a valid certificate is subject to abatement and refund.
2. Tenants get license and inspection results within 7 days
Within 7 days of receiving license results, inspection results, a Certificate of Rental Suitability decision or a license suspension, the owner must post them conspicuously at the property or mail them to tenants. Tenants must also be notified of code violation notices at least 24 hours before the correction deadline.
3. Tenant requests: 10 days to deliver a fresh certificate
A tenant can ask for a current Certificate of Rental Suitability. The owner must deliver one dated within the prior 30 days, within 10 days of the request, or lose the right to collect rent until it is provided.
4. Evictions need a certificate dated within 30 days
An owner cannot file for eviction without a Certificate of Rental Suitability issued no more than 30 days before the filing, provided to the tenant and the court.
5. 30 days to cure unsafe conditions
Violations classified as unsafe, unfit or imminently dangerous must be corrected within 30 days of notice unless appealed. Once a violation passes its cure date, the law presumes a breach of habitability, and tenants can seek rent abatement.
6. Private right of action and burden of proof
Any affected person can sue for compensatory damages or $1,000 per violation, whichever is greater, plus injunctive relief and attorney's fees. In eviction or rent collection actions the owner bears the burden of proving compliance for the tenancy. Willful habitability violations can bring treble damages.
7. Good cause for non-renewal
Not renewing a lease now requires good cause. A sale to an owner-occupant can qualify with at least 60 days' notice if the buyer moves in within 90 days of closing. Adverse landlord actions within one year after a violation is found are presumed retaliatory.
8. Proactive inspections are coming
L&I is authorized to inspect rental properties on a regular cycle, with full coverage targeted by July 2030. No start date for routine inspections has been announced.
Timeline
City Council passes Bills 250329-AA and 250330-AA, 16-1.
Mayor Parker signs both bills.
Effective date. Notice, certificate, rent bar, cure and damages provisions apply.
First L&I report to Council on implementation.
Target for routine proactive inspection of all rentals.
Legal challenge status
Two landlords filed suit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, first over Sunshine Act procedure and later adding constitutional claims. A March 2026 settlement sent the bills back through a new committee hearing before final passage. As of September 29, 2026 we are not aware of any court order delaying the November 1 effective date. Plan as if it takes effect on schedule.
Your Nov 1 checklist
- Confirm every property has an active rental license that will not expire in the next 60 days.
- Confirm lead certificates are on file and not expired for every pre-1978 building.
- Clear every open L&I violation, especially anything labeled unsafe or imminently dangerous.
- Pull a current Certificate of Rental Suitability for every occupied unit and keep proof of delivery.
- Set up a process to post or mail results within 7 days and answer tenant certificate requests within 10 days.
- Before any eviction, pull a certificate dated within 30 days.
- Review non-renewals against the new good cause rules.
Not sure where you stand? Run the free property check or have us handle it for a $500 flat fee plus city fees at cost.