City protections
Philadelphia renter rules
No rent control - but a first-in-the-nation eviction diversion program that renters should invoke by name.
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Eviction Diversion Program
Before filing most evictions, Philadelphia landlords must go through the city's diversion program - mediation that resolves many cases with payment plans instead of court records.
Renters' Access Act
Screening rules limit how landlords can use eviction records and credit history, and require written denial reasons - useful when a past filing haunts an application.
Good repair enforcement
Rental licenses require code compliance; a landlord without a valid rental license generally can't even collect rent or evict, which is significant leverage for repairs.
The state layer underneath
City rules sit on top of Pennsylvania state law - deposits, entry notice, and eviction process still come from the state.