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File #: 210920    Version: Name:
Type: Bill Status: ENACTED
File created: 11/18/2021 In control: Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless
On agenda: Final action: 12/16/2021
Title: Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to provide for an eviction diversion program, to make associated changes related to the landlord and tenant relationship, and making certain technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Sponsors: Councilmember Gym, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Jones
Indexes: LANDLORD AND TENANT
Attachments: 1. Bill No. 21092001, As Amended.pdf, 2. CertifiedCopy21092001
Title
Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," to provide for an eviction diversion program, to make associated changes related to the landlord and tenant relationship, and making certain technical changes, 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

* * *

? 9-811. Eviction Diversion Program.

(1) Authorization and Program Structure. The Department of Planning and Development, or such other City department or office as the Mayor may designate, is authorized to continue operating a pre-filing residential eviction diversion program to facilitate dispute resolution between landlords and tenants or acquisition of rental assistance, if available. Landlords shall enroll in the eviction diversion program by completing an application for rental assistance or similar financial assistance, or in such other manner as directed by the Department. It is not Council's expectation that the diversion program will continue unless sufficient funding is available.

(2) So long as the City is running a pre-filing eviction diversion program consistent with subsection (1), above, that includes rental assistance funds, no landlord shall have a lawful basis to evict a tenant unless the landlord has complied with the following requirements:

(a) The landlord has enrolled with the eviction diversion program consistent
with subsection (1), and provided a notice of diversion rights to the tenant
consistent with subsection (6); and

(b) The landlord has participated in the eviction diversion program in reasonable good faith, as defined by the City, for no less than forty-five (45) days; provided that such landlord shall thereafter continue to participate in the eviction diversion program in reasonable good faith.

(3) If at any ...

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