Before signing a lease, research the building thoroughly. Philadelphia has excellent public records that reveal violation history, ownership, and licensing status. 15 minutes of research can save you from a nightmare landlord.
Free Building Lookup
Search any Philadelphia address on StreetSmart to see L&I violations, property information, and building quality scores—all in one place.
Search Any AddressThe Complete Checklist
Building Research Checklist
- Search on StreetSmart for violations and scores
- Check rental license status on li.phila.gov
- Verify ownership at property.phila.gov
- Look up 311 complaints history
- Google the address for reviews and news
- Google the landlord/management company name
- Check Google Maps reviews
- Walk the neighborhood at different times
- Talk to current tenants if possible
Check Building Violations
L&I (Licenses & Inspections) tracks all code violations in Philadelphia. Look for:
- Number of violations — High count indicates poor maintenance
- Open vs. closed violations — Open = unresolved issues
- Types of violations — Fire safety, structural, pest issues are serious
- Pattern over time — Recurring issues show landlord doesn't fix problems
Red Flags in Violations
- • Multiple fire safety violations
- • Structural or foundation issues
- • Electrical hazards
- • Repeat pest infestations
- • Heating system failures
- • Many open (unresolved) violations
Verify the Rental License
Every Philadelphia rental must have a valid rental license. This is your protection:
- Property was inspected for safety code compliance
- Landlord is registered with the city
- Legal recourse if something goes wrong
How to Check
- 1.Go to li.phila.gov
- 2.Search by address
- 3.Look for "Housing Rental License" with "Active" status
If there's no license, the landlord is operating illegally. This gives you legal leverage.
Verify Property Ownership
Confirm that the person you're dealing with actually owns or manages the property:
- Go to property.phila.gov
- Search by address
- Check the owner's name matches who you're dealing with
If the names don't match, ask for proof they're authorized to rent the property (property management agreement, power of attorney, etc.).
Check 311 Complaints
311 complaints reveal issues neighbors have reported:
- Noise complaints
- Trash/sanitation issues
- Abandoned vehicles
- Street light outages
- Graffiti
Search at phila.gov/311 or on StreetSmart.
Google Everything
Search the Address
Google the exact address in quotes: "1234 Walnut St Philadelphia"
Look for news articles, forum discussions, or review sites mentioning the building.
Search the Landlord/Management Company
Google their name with terms like "reviews," "complaints," or "lawsuit":
"ABC Property Management" Philadelphia reviews"John Smith" landlord Philadelphia
Check Google Maps Reviews
Search the address on Google Maps. Some buildings have reviews from tenants.
In-Person Research
Walk the Neighborhood
Visit at different times:
- Daytime — See the area in full light
- Evening/Night — Check for safety concerns, noise
- Weekend — Is it quiet? Lively? Too loud?
Talk to Current Tenants
If you see someone entering or exiting the building, ask:
- "How long have you lived here?"
- "How's the landlord/management?"
- "Any major issues with the building?"
- "Would you recommend living here?"
Most tenants will give you honest feedback.
Things to Look For During Viewing
Physical Inspection Checklist
Building Common Areas
- • Clean hallways and stairs
- • Working lighting
- • Secure entry door
- • Functional intercom/buzzer
- • No signs of pests
Inside the Unit
- • Working smoke/CO detectors
- • No water damage or mold
- • Windows open and close properly
- • All outlets work
- • Water pressure is good
- • Appliances function
Resources
- StreetSmart — Free building lookup with violations and scores
- L&I License Lookup — Verify rental license
- Philadelphia Property Records — Verify ownership
- Philadelphia 311 — Service request history