Krajewski Seeks Crackdown
On Unlicensed Rental Units

It's time to crack down on the numbers of unlicensed rental properties in this city.

So says Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, who has introduced an ordinance to that effect.

Her legislation is the result of a yearlong investigation conducted by her office, CLIP (Community Life Improvement Program) and Licenses & Inspections, geared toward absentee landlords and nuisance rental properties.

Krajewski's office has received over 700 complaints from constituents about rental properties decaying the quality of life in the communities she represents. They reported illegal conversions, unlicensed work without permits, overcrowding of tenants, trash, noise and animal violations.

"These absentee landlords and nuisance rentals are nothing but a slow death for a neighborhood," said Krajewski.

Krajewski's ordinance amending the Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code would require any advertisement or correspondence for residential rentals to include the housing inspection license number.

Fines of $75 per day for this infraction would be set. Advertisements and correspondence includes newspapers, electronic advertisements, or on-premise rental signs.

"Northeast Philadelphia is not their personal Monopoly game," she said. "If all they care about is the rent check, then I'm going to hit them where it hurts, in their wallet!"