What Can You Charge a Tenant’s Security Deposit For in Philly?
Tenants leave trash on the sidewalk and windows wide open at move-out. Here’s what a Philadelphia landlord can actually charge a security deposit for — and what you can’t.
Tag: property management
Philadelphia Rental Occupancy Limits: How Many Tenants Can Legally Live in Your Unit?
Philadelphia occupancy limits explained: how many tenants can legally live in your rental, egress rules for basements, and how to avoid fair housing complaints.
Philadelphia Late Rent Fees: What Landlords Can Legally Charge in 2025
Philadelphia caps late rent fees at 5% of monthly rent — and requires a grace period first. Here’s exactly what you can legally charge and how to enforce it.
Breaking a Lease in Pennsylvania: A Landlord’s 2025 Guide
A Philadelphia landlord’s 2025 guide to early lease termination in PA — when tenants can legally walk, when they still owe you, and how to protect yourself.
Is Zillow’s Rent Estimate Accurate? A Philly Landlord’s Honest Take
Zillow’s rent estimate is off by $100–$300/month on most Philly rentals. Here’s how accurate it really is — and how to actually price your property.
Philadelphia Rental License Penalties: What Happens If You Skip It
Renting without a Philadelphia rental license can cost you $300/day in fines — or triple every rent dollar you’ve ever collected. Here’s what actually happens.
What Happens to the Tenant When a Rental Property Is Sold?
A tenant asked what happens to her lease now that her rental property has been sold. Here’s exactly what the new owner can — and can’t — do.
Can a Tenant Move In Before the Lease Start Date?
A tenant told me she could move in before her lease start date because the lease didn’t prohibit it. Here’s why that logic is wrong — and when early move-ins actually make sense.
Old City Property Management: What Landlords Need to Know
Old City is one of Philadelphia’s best rental neighborhoods — but historic buildings, single-elevator HOAs, and stretch tenants create real risks landlords need to plan for.
When a Tenant Threatens to Call Their Attorney
Tenants love to threaten lawyers and deadlines when they don’t get their way. Here’s how I handle the bully email — and why I never respond right away.
