In nearby Burlington City, New Jersey, landlords are fighting a new law that requires them to obtain city-issued rental licenses. Under the regulation, landlords must shell out $75 every year for a  license, and $100 every two years to register each rental unit they own. The $100 fee would cover the cost of a housing code inspection. Burlington City Council members have also included a measure in the law to provide a $25 discount on the registration fee to landlords who conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants. Meanwhile, Philadelphia landlords continue to be in talks with city officials over a law designed to protect renters from moving into substandard housing. This past spring, area landlords took the city to court and got the law suspended on claims that the regulation was costly and unfair. But right now, it’s uncertain when the law will be reinstated and what new provisions will be included. Click on this link to read more about the rental suitability law and our video about it.

Photo by DCup84 via Flickr