Title
Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to modify the requirements related to good cause for ending a tenancy, add protections against retaliation and harassment for tenants and tenant organizations, specify tenants' rights related to the implied warranty of habitability and provide a legal presumption related to breaches of the implied warranty of habitability, create a tenant right to organize, specify deadlines for asserting claims, and establish and enhance enforcement mechanisms, remedies, damages, and protections, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
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CHAPTER 9-800. LANDLORD AND TENANT
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? 9-804. Unfair Rental Practices.
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(2) It shall be unlawful for any owner, landlord, agent or other person operating or managing premises to refuse to lease to any person, terminate a lease with a tenant or make, alter, amend or modify any term or condition of any existing lease or arrangement of tenancy with a tenant, or restrict access to common areas or amenities in retaliation for:
(a) any violation having been found against the premises;
(b) the filing of a complaint alleging a violation;
(c) cooperating with an agency related to the investigation of or enforcement against a violation;
(d) communication with a government official, the press, or other public forums regarding violations or other conditions of the premises;
[(c)] (e) the joining of, or participation in, any lawful organization, including a tenant organization, association, union, or any other exercise of a legal right. [It shall be unlawful for any owner, landlord, agent or other person operating or managing premises to refuse to lease any premises to a prospective tenan...
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