2021 - Updates for Rental License Holders
Dear Landlords and Property Managers:

These important changes apply to rental properties and licenses in 2021.


A. Rental Property Lead Certification Law – Landlords in many Philadelphia zip codes are required to submit a lead-free or lead-safe certification for their rental property to the Philadelphia Department of Health before they can:

  • Sign a tenant to a new lease or lease renewal

  • Get a new or renewal rental license

If you would like to learn about the updated Philadelphia Lead Paint Certification and Disclosure law please contact the Department of Public Health, Lead and Healthy Homes Program at 215-685-2788 or through e-mail at [email protected]. 

You can also find information on the Program website at https://www.phila.gov/programs/lead-and-healthy-homes-program/.


B. Bed Bug Control Law– Beginning January 1, 2021, before a tenant enters into a lease you must: 

  • develop and follow a Bed Bug Control Plan;


  • provide written notice of the history of bed bug remediation in the rental unit within the preceding 120 days. 

Responding to tenant complaints: If a tenant complains about bed bugs in their rental unit, you have ten days to bring in pest control professionals to investigate the complaint and begin remediation if bed bugs are present. If the unit is in a building with four or more rental units, the units above, below, and adjacent to the unit must also be investigated for bed bugs.
Remediation must continue until there is no evidence of bed bugs. After that a pest control professional must monitor for 12 days to check for reinfestation.

Read the informational notice and more about your responsibilities as a landlord.


C. Interest and Penalties – Beginning February 1, 2021, a delinquency fee of 1.5% per month will be charged to all licenses that are more than 60 days past due. Please renew your rental license (and other licenses) on time to avoid additional charges.

  • To renew your license, log on to your eCLIPSE account and submit your license renewal application. You can visit the L&I website to get help with eCLIPSE.

  • If you are no longer renting out the property, you must close your license by contacting the 311 Philly Help Center at www.phila.gov/311 or (215) 686-8686.


If you have any questions, please contact us through www.phila.gov/311 or by calling our 311 Philly Help Center at (215) 686-8686.


Sincerely,
Department of Licenses and Inspections