My housing application was denied. What are my rights?

I found a place to rent. What happens now?

• Before you apply, the landlord must give you a list of written screening criteria explaining what information they use to approve or deny applications. The list must be the same for all applicants.
• After you apply, the landlord must review your rental application and cannot automatically deny you because of your credit score or eviction record.
• If you have an eviction record, the landlord cannot deny your application due to the eviction, if:
  • The case was withdrawn, dismissed or you won the case.
  • The case resulted in a judgment that has been satisfied or vacated.
  • The case resulted in a judgment by agreement that is current or has been satisfied or vacated.
  • The case filing or resulting judgment is more than 4 years old.
  • The case was filed March 2020 through September 2021 (COVID-19 Emergency Period), unless the landlord claimed violent or criminal activity.

My application was denied. What does the landlord have to do now?

• Let you know they denied your application in writing within three business days.
• Give you a copy of any tenant screening reports or documents they used to make their decision.
• Review any documents you give them for reconsideration, if you dispute the denial.

How do I dispute the landlord’s decision and ask for reconsideration?

• Tell the landlord that you dispute their decision within 48 hours of the denial. Review a sample letter in English or en Español.
• Provide the landlord documents for reconsideration within 7 days of the denial.
  • Provide proof that information in the tenant background report was inaccurate, OR
  • Provide proof that the denial violated the Renter’s Access Act, OR
  • Provide proof of any mitigating circumstances. For example:
    • A history of on-time rental payments.
    • Proof that a prior eviction was based on someone else not paying the rent.
    • Proof of new or increased income.
    • Letters of recommendation by employers or former landlords.
    • Proof of any changes in your life that help show the landlord that problems from the past are not going to be problems anymore.

The landlord approved my application, but the unit is no longer available. What does the landlord have to do?

• If the landlord has 5 or more rental units, the landlord must offer you the next available unit of similar size and price.

The landlord still denied my application. What can I do?

• If the landlord did not give you written screening criteria or a written denial, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations may investigate the landlord for fair housing violations.
• If the landlord violated any part of this ordinance, you may file a lawsuit against the landlord in court for up to $2000 per violation. See our article about how to sue a landlord.