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File #: 250045    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Bill Status: HELD IN COMMITTEE
File created: 1/30/2025 In control: Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless
On agenda: Final action:
Title: Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to establish requirements related to fees charged by landlords to individuals applying for residential tenancy, all under certain terms and conditions.
Sponsors: Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Squilla
Attachments: 1. Bill No. 25004500
Title
Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to establish requirements related to fees charged by landlords to individuals applying for residential tenancy, all under certain terms and conditions.

Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 9-800. LANDLORD AND TENANT

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? 9-802. Definitions.

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(5) Unfair Rental Practice. Any act in violation of Section 9-804 or Section 9-809.

(6) Background Check. A communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency, as defined in 15 U.S.C. ? 1681a, which concerns a person's rental or other residential history, employment history, criminal history, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living.

(7) Credit Check. A communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency, as defined in 15 U.S.C. ? 1681a, which concerns an individual's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, or payment history, including but not limited to a consumer credit report or credit score.

(8) Prospective Tenant. An individual who is applying for or otherwise seeking to be considered for residential tenancy in a premises.

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? 9-813. Rental application fees.

(1) For purpose of considering, assessing, or selecting one or more individuals for residential tenancy in a premises, no landlord, owner of a premises, real estate broker, real estate agent, person operating or managing a premises, or employee or agent thereof, shall demand or accept any payment, fee, or charge from, or on behalf of, a prospective tenant other than a fee for conducting a background check and/or a credit check subject to the limitations of this Section.

(2) The following limitations shall apply with respect to the background and/or credit check fees that may be charged to a prospective...

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