As a Philadelphia property owner, you know local law moves fast. One critical mandate you must understand is the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance and its protection for Source of Income
- Unlike federal or state law, Philadelphia explicitly makes Source of Income a protected class. This means you cannot refuse to rent to someone based on how they legally pay their rent.
- The most common form of this protection? It’s for applicants using Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8. But it also includes other lawful forms like social security or disability payments.
- It is strictly unlawful to post an ad stating "No Section 8" or to charge a voucher holder a higher security deposit or different fees than any other applicant.
Compliance Mandates
- Use the same criteria for everyone. When screening a voucher holder, you must treat their subsidy portion as guaranteed income and then qualify them based only on their ability to pay the rest.
- You are also legally required to complete the necessary voucher paperwork promptly.
Source of Income complaints are on the rise, leading to real penalties and damages for landlords. Don’t navigate Philadelphia’s changing landlord-tenant laws alone. Partner with TrustArt Realty to ensure your property and paperwork are 100% compliant. Visit our website or call us today to learn more.
