Drexel University - Office of Campus Activities

Do you live in Philadelphia County?
Have you moved into an apartment since September 5th, 2006?
If the answer is yes to both of these questions, then you should know about the

rental suitability bill.

Owners of rental properties are now required to present to their tenants at the start of their occupancy a “certificate of rental suitability”.

Basically, this is a document issued by the Philadelphia department of Licenses and Inspections that the owner has a proper license and that there are no critical code violations on record at their property.

Additionally, new tenants are to be provided with a copy of “Partners for Good Housing”

“Partners for Good Housing” is a document that contains answers to questions such as

“Who needs a rental license”
“what facilities must be maintained”
“how do I file a complaint”, and more.

This document is available online at http://www.phila.gov/li/faq/rental/rental.html. Copies are also kept in the Dean of Students Suite, Creese 215 as well as the Off Campus Coordinator’s office (Creese GSDC-48F)

Lastly, the owner must attest that all fire protection and smoke detection equipment required for the premises is present and in proper working order, and that the operating systems and the property are free of defects which affect the health and safety of occupants(1).

In Summary a new renter should receive:

A certificate of rental suitability
A copy of “Partners for Good Housing”
Attestation that all fire/smoke detection systems work properly, and that the property is free from dangerous defects.

Any information given on this website is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have a legal question, please seek out legal counsel as soon as possible. Additionally, any information given is presented as a service. Drexel University Off Campus Housing does not endorse any website, realtor, apartment, or home. Drexel OCH encourages renters to be cautious and aware, and to make informed decisions when searching for housing.