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Last verified: · Confidence: medium
How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Philadelphia?
Short answer
Good cause needed to end or not renew a lease: written notice with the reason 60 days before the lease ends (30 days for tenancies under one year)
Notice: At least 60 days before the lease ends (60 days for lease term 1 year or more; 30 days for lease term less than 1 year)
A Philadelphia landlord needs good cause (for example nonpayment, a material lease breach, nuisance or substantial damage) to end or not renew a lease, and must tell the tenant in writing, with the reason, on the same schedule as a rent increase notice: at least 60 days before the end of a tenancy of one year or more and at least 30 days for a tenancy under one year, by hand delivery or first-class mail with proof of mailing. Without proper notice the lease renews month to month. The tenant can challenge the notice within 15 business days.
"A landlord must provide at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant with the good cause reasons to terminate or not renew the lease." phila.gov
"At least 60 days prior to the effective date of a rent increase where a residential tenancy is one year or more, and at least 30 days prior to the effective date of a rent increase where a residential tenancy is less than one year" codelibrary.amlegal.com
"shall notify the tenant in writing with reasonable specificity of the basis for such good cause in the same manner and on the same schedule as set forth in subsection (11)(a)" files.amlegal.com
Good cause needed to end or not renew a lease: written notice with the reason 60 days before the lease ends (30 days for tenancies under one year) Verified
Deadline: At least 60 days before the lease ends (60 days for lease term 1 year or more; 30 days for lease term less than 1 year)
A Philadelphia landlord needs good cause (for example nonpayment, a material lease breach, nuisance or substantial damage) to end or not renew a lease, and must tell the tenant in writing, with the reason, on the same schedule as a rent increase notice: at least 60 days before the end of a tenancy of one year or more and at least 30 days for a tenancy under one year, by hand delivery or first-class mail with proof of mailing. Without proper notice the lease renews month to month. The tenant can challenge the notice within 15 business days.
"A landlord must provide at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant with the good cause reasons to terminate or not renew the lease." phila.gov
"At least 60 days prior to the effective date of a rent increase where a residential tenancy is one year or more, and at least 30 days prior to the effective date of a rent increase where a residential tenancy is less than one year" codelibrary.amlegal.com
"shall notify the tenant in writing with reasonable specificity of the basis for such good cause in the same manner and on the same schedule as set forth in subsection (11)(a)" files.amlegal.com
"This Ordinance shall become effective November 1, 2026." files.amlegal.com
Notes: Philadelphia Code 9-804(12). Until October 31, 2026 the good-cause rule covers leases of less than one year (City Fair Housing Commission page: 30 days' notice). Bill No. 250330-AA (passed April 23, 2026, signed May 7, 2026, effective November 1, 2026) extends it to any lease and to other actions to end a tenancy, with notice on the 9-804(11)(a) schedule (60 days for tenancies of one year or more, 30 days under one year). Medium confidence because the change takes effect November 1, 2026 and the City's page still describes the earlier rule.
Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Notice of Rights for Tenants at least 30 days before any eviction step Verified
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
Notes: Adds to PA state notice-to-quit rules. Philadelphia's good-cause rule for ending or not renewing a lease is a separate rule (Philadelphia Code 9-804(12)).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction