Partners For Good Housing: The City of Philadelphia, on behalf of its citizens, has set minimum health, safety, and maintenance standards for houses and apartments. Keeping the housing in our city up to these standards involves a partnership between tenant, landlord, and the City. All three must work together to provide decent housing for everyone. The information in this guidebook applies to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is based on the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Philadelphia – particularly Title 4, the Building Construction and Occupancy Code.
Notice regarding lead in residential properties: Every Lessee of any interest in residential property on which a residential dwelling was built prior to 1978 is notified that such property may present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligence quotient, behavioral problems and impaired memory. Lead poisoning also poses a particular risk to pregnant women. The Lessor of any interest in residential property is required to disclose to the lessee the presence or absence of any lead based paint and/or lead based paint hazards. In residential housing constructed prior to 1978, a comprehensive lead inspection or risk assessment for possible lead based paint and/or lead based paint hazards is recommended prior to lease.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has determined that most housing built in Philadelphia before 1978 contains dangerous lead paint. This property was built before 1978, therefore, without a comprehensive lead inspection, conducted by a certified lead inspector, showing there is no lead paint or there are no lead based paint hazards, you can assume that this property contains lead based paint. The Landlord does not know of any lead based paint or lead based paint hazards on the Property unless stated below:
Every lessee of any interest in residential property is notified that any residential dwelling, regardless of construction date, may have a lead water service line or lead plumbing components. Regardless of the construction date, the Lessor of any interest in residential real property is required to disclose to the lessee the known existence of a lead water service line. You are advised to read the pamphlet containing information of lead water service lines and lead plumbing components provided at the time of entering into the lease. Please review the following items:
In compliance with Bill No. 19010600 Philadelphia Landlords are required to provide tenants with information regarding Bed Bug infestations prior to move in. Amending Chapter 3 of Subcode PM ("The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code") of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "General Requirements," to add provisions relating to bed bug infestation; adding Chapter 9-4500 of the Code, entitled "Responsibilities Concerning Bed Bug Infestations," to establish various requirements for landlords and tenants relating to bed bug infestation and to establish requirements related to bed bugs in connection with certain residential occupancies and the sale of residential property; all under certain terms and conditions. You can learn more by reading the required materials here: Philadelphia bed bug materials
Mold and moisture are household issues that every home occupant should understand the possible risks and remedies for. Please take the time to review the EPA pamphlet linked here: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture And Your Home
Fair Housing Act: Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability.
More information available at HUD.gov