Glossary

Abuse can include physical, emotional, sexual, technological, and financial abuse, as well as abuse by immigration status. To learn more, you can visit https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/education-resources/learn-about-abuse/types-of-domestic-violence.

This is the definition

Actual damages are the real costs that you incur because you were illegally evicted. For example, the cost of repairs you had to make to remain in your property, transportation, or a hotel room.

The alias writ of possession is a court order that is issued 11 days after the writ of possession. This is the last step before a landlord can legally evict a tenant. A landlord can only lock out a tenant after this court order is issued.

Process of applying to a higher court to reverse the decision of a lower court.

A breach of lease is when the landlord or tenant breaks one of the provisions of the lease document.

CCP is the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The Court of Common Pleas hears appeals of eviction cases from Municipal Court, appeals from the Fair Housing Commission and hears ejectment cases.

Cease operations is an order from Philadelphia's Department of Licenses & Inspections when they deem a building unsafe for living. The order is posted at the building and gives residents a timeline to move out or request a hearing from L&I.

A compliant is a document filed to start a court case. In eviction and ejectment cases, the landlord files the complaint against the tenant.

The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (CCP) hears appeals of eviction cases from Municipal Court, appeals from the Fair Housing Commission and hears ejectment cases.

An ejectment is a type of case filed in the Court of Common Pleas by a property owner when they allege the resident is occupying the property without permission.

The process of setting aside rent in a bank account or safe location. Make sure you can document how much is set aside and where it is saved.

The Fair Housing Commission (FHC) makes sure that renters have safe places to live and that landlords follow housing laws. The five-member commission and staff help people know their rights and responsibilities when it comes to renting a property.

A "good cause" reason is a reason that a landlord can use to legally evict a tenant. Good cause reasons include: habitual non-payment or habitual late payment of rent; causing damage to the property beyond wear and tear; breaking an important term of the lease; or the owner or the owner’s family member is moving into the property. If your lease is less than a year term, the landlord must have a good cause reason for evicting you.

An administrative process for tenants to complain about housing issues in their subsidized housing program such as repairs, rent calculation, transfer or lease termination.

Habitability describes when your home is suitable for living, specifically when it is safe, up-to-code, and without repair issues.

A session at court where you can try to come to an agreement or go before a judge to rule on your case.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidizes certain private developments directly through Project-Based Section 8, Section 202 Senior Housing and Section 811 Housing for People with Disabilities Programs.

A written statement to the court that you are low-income. Submitting an IFP makes your filing free.

Landlords have to go to court to evict you. If they don't, that might be illegal. Illegal evictions can include changing the locks, turning off utilities, harassing a tenant to move, or removing your belongings.

A requested verification of income or household size, usually requested by the tenant and often resulting in a change in the tenant's rent amount.

JBA stands for Judgment by Agreement, which is a binding agreement between the landlord and the tenant that cannot be appealed.

A judgment is a court order entered against someone. In an eviction case, a judgment can order a tenant to pay money, leave the property or both.

A binding agreement between the landlord and the tenant that cannot be appealed.

A judgment for possession is a court order from the Judge saying the landlord is entitled to the property. Landlords are required to obtain this court order to evict a tenant.

Also referred to as "good cause". A "good cause" reason is a reason that a landlord can use to legally evict a tenant. Good cause reasons include: habitual non-payment or habitual late payment of rent; causing damage to the property beyond wear and tear; breaking an important term of the lease; or the owner or the owner’s family member is moving into the property. If your lease is less than a year term, the landlord must have a good cause reason for evicting you.

Stands for the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) helps people comply with building safety standards and other code requirements. Contractors, business and property owners, landlords, and tenants are all served by L&I.

A certificate from the City of Philadelphia that states there was never lead in the property. This is given to newer properties built after 1978. The landlord does not need to renew this.

A Certificate from the City of Philadelphia that states there is no lead in the property. The landlord must renew this every 4 years.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) helps people comply with building safety standards and other code requirements. Contractors, business and property owners, landlords, and tenants are all served by L&I.

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program is a program that funds the construction of new housing developments. For 30 years after construction, LIHTC housing developments must keep a percentage of units affordable.

Public Housing owned and managed by the Philadelphia and Property Management Company (PAPMC) and closely affiliated with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA).

A petition to stay is an emergency request that a tenant can file in Municipal Court after they receive a judgment to try to prevent or delay an eviction lockout from happening.

PHA or Philadelphia Housing Authority was established in 1937, PHA is the nation's fourth largest public housing authority. Today PHA owns more than 14,000 affordable housing units, housing nearly 80,000 Philadelphians.

Housing subsidy and supportive services for people coming out of homelessness, where the housing subsidy is tied to a specific unit or development.

A scheduled verification of income or household size, usually every one to three years, often resulting in a change to the tenant's rent amount.

The process of determining the amount of rent owed by the tenant based on their income.

Rental assistance programs are programs that help a tenant pay for rent.

Section 8 often refers to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which is a program in which low-income tenants receive a subsidy to rent from private landlords.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a program in which low-income tenants receive a subsidy to rent from private landlords.

A security deposit is money paid to the landlord in advance in case there is damage to the property or unpaid rent.

The court where you can sue someone for money, up to $12,000.

A squatter is anyone who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited residence.

When a tenant rents a property to another tenant with permission from their landlord.

Housing subsidy and supportive services for people coming out of homelessness, where the housing subsidy is tied to the tenant like a voucher.

Withholding rent is when a tenant sets aside rent money, usually when there are significant repair issues.

A writ of possession is a a court order issued ten days after a judgment for possession in favor of the landlord. Landlord's are required to obtain this court order in order to evict a tenant.