So You Wanna Be a Philly Landlord: Conquering the Rental License Labyrinth (without losing your mind)
Congratulations, intrepid renter-wrangler! You've decided to join the esteemed ranks of Philadelphia's residential royalty (okay, maybe not royalty, but definitely someone with a stack of rental applications). But before your dreams of passive income and tenant-bought bouquets become reality, there's a little hurdle to jump: the notorious Philadelphia Rental License.
Fear not, fellow landlord-to-be! This guide will be your trusty steed, navigating you through the sometimes-confusing, often-bureaucratic world of Philly rental licensing.
Step 1: Assemble Your Requisite Rentalship Regalia (or, Stuff You Gotta Have)
A Philadelphia Business Tax Account Number and a Commercial Activity License: Renting a property is like a tiny real estate kingdom, and every kingdom needs its taxman! These are both free and obtainable online. Bonus Tip: Getting these first will make you feel like a real pro when you tackle the next steps.
Zoning Approval & Certificate of Occupancy: Basically, you need to prove your property is zoned for rentals and livable for humans (no bat caves or haunted mansions allowed). Don't panic! These can usually be obtained from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Clean Bill of L&I Health: This means no outstanding violations on the property from L&I. So, if there's a rogue raccoon infestation or a sinkhole forming in the backyard, now's the time to deal with it.
Tax-Teller Title: Be current on all your city taxes, otherwise Uncle Sam (or rather, his local cousin) might rain on your rental parade. You can get a tax clearance to ease your worries.
Lead Paint Due Diligence: If your property was built before 1978, you'll need to comply with lead paint regulations. Don't worry, it's not rocket science! There are resources available to help you navigate this.
Step 2: Apply for Your Rental License with the Majesty of the Eclipse System
The Eclipse system is the official portal for all your Philly licensing needs. It might sound fancy, but it's basically a website. Just don't expect it to move at the speed of light (wink wink). You'll need to create an account and fill out the application, uploading all your hard-earned documents like a champion.
There may be a fee involved (around $56 per unit), so have your credit card at the ready.
Step 3: Patience, Grasshopper, Patience
The processing time can vary, so channel your inner zen master. Once approved, you'll be basking in the glory of your official Philadelphia Rental License!
Remember, this license needs to be renewed annually, so don't let it gather dust in the back of your desk drawer.
Congratulations! You've conquered the rental license labyrinth and are now one step closer to becoming a full-fledged Philly rental mogul (or at least a slightly less confused landlord).
Rental License FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions (the fun kind, with short answers)
How to get a Philadelphia Business Tax Account Number and Commercial Activity License?
These are both free and obtainable online. [Search for Philadelphia Business Tax Account Number] and [Search for Philadelphia Commercial Activity License].
How to check for zoning approval and certificate of occupancy?
Contact the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
How to find out if there are outstanding L&I violations on the property?
L&I can help you with this too.
How to deal with lead paint regulations?
The City of Philadelphia offers resources to help you comply. [Search for Philadelphia Lead Paint Due Diligence]
How much does a rental license cost?
Around $56 per unit.
