The city of Philadelphia implemented a new “Good Clause” Eviction law in 2019.
This law prevents an owner or landlord from issuing a lease termination or non-renewal without first showing “good cause” for why the lease should be terminated. This law applies to leases that are less than one year, including leases that revert to month to month or shorter than one year terms at renewal. With this law, TCS suggests not allowing tenants sign leases for less than one year.
Examples of a good cause reason to terminate a lease are:
- Habitual non-payment or habitual late payment of rent (does not apply if the tenant is legally withholding rent).
- Breach or non-compliance with a “material term” of the lease.
- Nuisance activity engaged in by the tenant that interferes with others’ use and enjoyment of the property.
- Tenant causing substantial damage to the property.
- Tenant not allowing landlord access to the property after the landlord has provided written notice
- . Tenant refuses to sign an extension of the lease for generally the same lease terms.
- Owner, or an immediate family member of the owner, is going to move into the unit.
- Tenant refuses to agree to a reasonable rent increase or a change in the lease.
- Owner wants to make renovations with an empty unit.
