Got a notice after you complained?
For Philadelphia renters. Start your 15-day clock and gather the City records you can show.
Call the Philly Tenant Hotline267-443-2500
What your notice may mean
A notice to leave, a non-renewal, or a change to your lease is not an eviction by itself. In Philadelphia, only a judge can order you out. A notice is the first step, and you may be able to challenge it.
Your 15-day Fair Housing Commission window
If you think the notice is payback for a complaint, or that your landlord has no good reason to end your lease, you can challenge it at the Fair Housing Commission. That is a free City of Philadelphia office. Tenant advocates report that you have 15 days after you get the notice to file. Once your landlord files a case in Municipal Court, the Commission can no longer take your complaint. Confirm the deadline with legal help.
Retaliation after you complained
Philadelphia law generally bars a landlord from ending or changing your lease because you reported problems like no heat, leaks, or pests, called 311, asked for an L&I inspection, or joined a tenant group. City records of 311 complaints and L&I inspections show dates. This free tool gathers those records for your address, marks what happened before the notice, and counts your days.
Need help now? Call the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500.
Dealing with a difficult landlord?
We're building a Case File tool that helps you track every issue, message and repair request in one place, so you have the record when you need it.
Common questions
What is the Fair Housing Commission?
It is a City of Philadelphia office that hears tenant complaints about unfair rental practices, such as a notice that may be payback for a complaint. Filing is free, and you do not need a lawyer to file.
Does a notice mean I am being evicted?
No. A notice is not a court order. Only a judge can order an eviction, and landlords generally must go through the Eviction Diversion Program before filing in court. You can stay in your home while you get help.
What counts as retaliation?
Generally, ending or changing your lease because you filed a complaint with L&I, called 311 about conditions, joined a tenant association, or cooperated with a City investigation. New protections are reported to take effect in November 2026. Confirm what applies to you with a tenant lawyer.
What if my landlord already filed in court?
The Fair Housing Commission route may be closed, but you still have options. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline, keep every paper you get, and bring proof of your complaints and of your landlord's rental license status to court.