Philadelphia City Council recently passed new housing bills that would mean potential changes for local renters and landlords, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY.
As stated in Pennsylvania state law, landlords cannot charge more than two months’ security deposit for a tenant to move in for the first year. Landlords can only hold one month’s security deposit during the second year.
Under the proposed Philadelphia bill — which was sponsored by Councilmember Rue Landau — any landlord with at least three units who is charging more than one month’s security deposit prior to move-in must allow a tenant to pay a portion of that deposit in three equal installments.
Furthermore, under the proposed law, Philadelphia landlords can’t charge more than $50 for application fees for prospective tenants. If the application cost is less than $50, the landlord can be reimbursed for the cost of such a service.
“Many times tenants are scraping together every single cent they can,” Landau told WHYY News. “Wages have not kept up with the rising rents and that’s why we need to do everything we possibly can to make it easier for tenants to move in so they’re not stuck in properties that are in poor conditions or living in an unsafe living environment.”
Read more about the housing bills that could bring about changes for both landlords and tenants at WHYY.
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