Philadelphia Rental License Services
Philadelphia Rental License Compliance Made Simple
Philadelphia’s rental license requirements can be complex and time-consuming for property owners to navigate. At HubKey, we specialize in managing the entire compliance process, ensuring your properties remain legally compliant while you focus on more important matters. Our comprehensive rental license services eliminate the hassle and uncertainty from this critical aspect of property ownership.
Comprehensive Rental License & Lease Compliance Services
Documentation Management
We handle all the paperwork and documentation required for Philadelphia rental licenses, ensuring everything is properly filed and recorded.
- Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) compliance
- Coordination of necessary certificates
- Property registration management
- Tax compliance verification
- Documentation maintenance and storage
- Required forms completion
- Application submission and tracking
Renewal Management
We monitor expiration dates and manage the entire renewal process, ensuring your rental license remains current without interruption.
- Expiration date monitoring
- Advance renewal notification
- Renewal application submission
- Documentation updates
- Continuous compliance maintenance
- Fee payment processing
- License status tracking
Code Compliance Assessment
Our team identifies and addresses any code compliance issues before they become problems, preventing costly violations and ensuring successful evaluations.
- Property code compliance evaluation
- Lead safety certification coordination
- Smoke detector compliance verification
- Safety requirement assessment
- Fire escape evaluation (if applicable)
- Certificate of Occupancy verification
- Zoning compliance confirmation
Evaluation Preparation & Coordination
We coordinate and meet with municipal inspectors at your property, ensuring it’s properly prepared to meet all requirements.
- Pre-evaluation property assessment
- Common violation identification and correction
- Evaluation scheduling and coordination
- On-site representation during evaluations
- Post-evaluation compliance confirmation
- Required correction implementation
- Re-evaluation coordination when necessary
Which Service is Right for You?
Rental License & Philadelphia Lease Compliance
-
Lead-based paint test coordination (if needed)*
-
Commercial Activity License
-
Rental License**
-
Certificate of Rental Suitability
-
All addendum to make sure you have a compliant Philadelphia Lease
**Fee for official license is $69/unit, additional to service fee
Property Leasing
Services
-
All rental license/lease compliance services, PLUS...
-
Rental market analysis
-
Property marketing
-
Fair Housing Act compliant tenant screening
-
Custom, landlord-friendly lease
-
Federal, state, and city regulatory compliance
-
Property showing coordination
Full-Service Property Management
-
All rental license/lease compliance & property leasing services, PLUS...
-
Move-in coordination
-
Full and detailed property evaluation
-
24/7/365 maintenance coverage
-
Complete financial reporting
-
Annual property evaluations
-
Licensed, insured, and vetted local contractors
The HubKey Difference
Industry-Leading Expertise
When you choose HubKey for your rental license needs, you benefit from our specialized expertise in Philadelphia property compliance.
Results-Focused Approach
We transform compliance challenges into straightforward solutions, addressing potential issues before they affect your property's legal status.
Transparent Partnership
We provide clear communication throughout the license process, keeping you informed without burdening you with unnecessary details.
Market-Adaptive Strategies
We monitor regulatory changes and adapt our approach to ensure continuous compliance regardless of shifting requirements.
Local Expertise Across Downtown Philadelphia
From the historic charm of Old City to the trendy vibe of Fishtown, we provide specialized knowledge of Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods to maximize your property’s potential.
- Art Museum
- Bella Vista
- Fairmount
- East Passyunk
- Point Breeze
- Logan Square
- Queen Village
- Northern Liberties
- Brewerytown
- Olde Kensington
- Graduate Hospital
- Rittenhouse Square
- Midtown Village
- Fishtown
- Old City
- Fitler Square
- Society Hill
- Grays Ferry
- Pennsport
- Francisville
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Criteria include:
Income Requirements:
- Verified gross monthly income must be at least 3x the monthly rent
- All income sources must be current
- HubKey may reject inconsistent, seasonal, or “under the table” income
Credit History:
- 625+ credit score preferred with minimum 1 year credit history
- No undischarged bankruptcies, recent bankruptcies without established credit, or foreclosure history
Rental History:
- Continuous history with positive landlord referrals preferred
- No evictions within past 4 years (excluding COVID period evictions)
- No outstanding debt to previous landlords
Other Requirements:
- Criminal background check (violent offenses, financial crimes, etc. may disqualify)
- Occupancy limits: 2 people per bedroom plus 1 (2 maximum for efficiency units)
- Lease terms typically 12+ months, with move-in within 30 days of availability
- Pet policies vary by property (support animals require documentation)
- Non-smoking tenants preferred
- False information on application is grounds for denial
Applications will only be processed when all required documents are received from all applicants and cosigners.
See full list of Rental Criteria here.
Renting without a valid license in Philadelphia can result in significant penalties, including fines up to $2,000 per day, inability to legally collect rent, complications during eviction proceedings, and potential emergency cease operations orders. Additionally, tenants may be entitled to refunds of previously paid rent. Our rental license service ensures you avoid these serious consequences.
The timeline for obtaining a rental license typically takes 3-4 weeks from application to approval, assuming no complications. However, this can vary based on evaluation scheduling, property condition, and current department processing times. Our service manages the entire process, keeping it moving as efficiently as possible while keeping you informed of progress.
Philadelphia rental licenses must be renewed annually to remain valid. Our service includes tracking of expiration dates and managing the entire renewal process, ensuring your properties remain continuously licensed without interruption.
During a rental license evaluation, city inspectors verify your property meets basic safety and habitability standards including functioning smoke detectors, proper electrical systems, adequate emergency exits, absence of significant building code violations, and proper sanitation facilities. Our team prepares your property for these evaluations and is present during the evaluation to address any issues.
Rental licenses in Philadelphia are not transferable between owners. If you purchase a rental property, you must apply for a new license in your name or your business entity’s name. Our service can help new property owners establish proper licensing after acquisition.