Last verified: · Confidence: medium
City rules for Philadelphia, which add to Pennsylvania statewide rules and federal rules. Official site: phila.gov.
Build a dated calendar for Philadelphia
Deadline: Every year from the license expiration
Philadelphia rental licenses must be renewed every year. To renew you must be current on City taxes and fines and comply with lead safety laws; L&I sends a reminder before expiration.
"This license must be renewed annually. There is a late fee for renewals filed more than 60 days after the Rental License has expired."
phila.gov
"Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes and fines."
phila.gov
Deadline: Get the certificate within the 60 days before the lease starts (not earlier); the date shown is when that window opens
Each time you rent to a new tenant or renew a lease, get a new Certificate of Rental Suitability from L&I, issued no more than 60 days before the lease starts, and give the tenant a copy.
"Property owners must get a new Certificate of Rental Suitability each time they rent to a new tenant or renew an existing tenant’s lease."
phila.gov
"You must give new tenants a copy of a Certificate of Rental Suitability issued by L&I no more than 60 days before to the start of the lease."
phila.gov
Deadline: Every 4 years from the last lead inspection; also: before each new lease and each license renewal
For pre-March-1978 rentals, give the tenant a current Lead Safe or Lead Free certificate before signing a lease. Lead Safe certificates must rest on an inspection no more than 4 years old at license issuance/renewal or a new lease; Lead Free never expires.
"before a lease is signed, the landlord must provide the tenant with a current certificate indicating that the property is Lead Safe or Lead Free."
phila.gov
"Lead safe certification must be based on an inspection performed no more than 4 years prior to rental license issuance, rental license renewal or execution of a new lease agreement."
phila.gov
"For properties built before March 1978, the owner must submit lead certification and inspection reports to the Department of Public Health."
phila.gov
Deadline: When the lease starts
Each time a unit is rented to a new tenant, give the Partners in Good Housing booklet (plus the Certificate of Rental Suitability, lead certificate if applicable, and the Philadelphia bed bug notice); 3+ unit buildings must also give the smoking policy.
"Each time a dwelling unit is rented to a new tenant, the owner must give the tenant:"
phila.gov
"You must give new tenants a copy of the Partners in Good Housing guidebook."
phila.gov
"Landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide tenants with a copy of the building smoking policy."
phila.gov
Deadline: At least 30 days before taking any step toward eviction
Send the tenant Philadelphia's Notice of Rights for Tenants at least 30 days before taking any steps toward eviction; it is separate from any termination or non-renewal notice.
"Landlords must send residential tenants a Notice of Rights for Tenants at least 30 days before taking any steps toward eviction. This notice is not a lease termination or non-renewal notice."
phila.gov
| Rule | Deadline | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Return deposit (plus interest) with written damage list within 30 days | Within 30 days after move-out | high |
| Written notice of bank name/address and amount when deposits over $100 are escrowed | When the deposit is placed in the escrow account | high |
| Pay deposit interest annually on lease anniversary starting after the 2nd anniversary | Each year on the lease anniversary, starting after the 2nd anniversary | high |
| CO alarms in rental multifamily dwellings (3+ households) with fossil-fuel appliances, fireplace or attached garage | Before each new occupancy: replace missing/inoperable alarms and ensure batteries work | high |
| Notice to quit at end of term: 15 days (lease 1 year or less/indeterminate) or 30 days (lease over 1 year) | At least 15 days before the lease ends (15 days for lease term 1 year or less / month-to-month; 30 days for lease term over 1 year) | high |
| Rule | Deadline | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing) | Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease) | high |
| Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 years | Keep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard it | high |
| Report rental income/expenses on Schedule E with Form 1040 | Due April 15, 2027 with your 2026 Form 1040; if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day | medium |
| 2026 estimated tax payment #1 due April 15, 2026 | Due April 15, 2026 | high |
| 2026 estimated tax payment #2 due June 15, 2026 | Due June 15, 2026 | high |
| 2026 estimated tax payment #3 due Sept. 15, 2026 | Due September 15, 2026 | high |
| 2026 estimated tax payment #4 due Jan. 15, 2027 | Due January 15, 2027 | high |
| File and furnish Form 1099-NEC for 2026 contractor payments of $2,000+ | Due January 31, 2027 (for 2026 payments); if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day | high |