Philadelphia lawmakers will consider a pair of bills aimed at reducing up-front costs for renters in the city, a move that comes as housing prices are increasing and outpacing income growth. One piece of legislation would cap apartment application fees at $20. A second bill would require that landlords allow renters to pay their security deposits in four installments over four months, rather than one large lump sum before moving in. Housing in Philadelphia has long been considered affordable compared with other major cities, but the city’s relatively high poverty rate means there is a high proportion of residents who cannot find housing at a price they can manage. A 2020 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that more than half of Philadelphia renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. The bills are likely to face resistance from landlords and property managers who say it could harm their bottom lines.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/30/2025