READ AND PASSED

The enacted ordinance amended Philadelphia’s rental rules to prohibit landlords from ending or changing a tenant’s lease because the tenant is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. It allows a qualifying tenant to end a lease without an early-termination penalty, or to have the lease divided so an abusive cotenant can be evicted while the victim remains, if specified notice and documentation requirements are met.

Amending Section 9-804 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Unfair Rental Practices," by requiring that every lease provide that a landlord shall be prohibited from terminating the lease based upon a tenant's status as a domestic violence victim, and shall be required to terminate the lease upon the request of a tenant victim of domestic violence, or may bifurcate the lease if such victim requests bifurcation, all under certain terms and conditions.