# Landlord-tenant court in Philadelphia Eviction cases in Philadelphia go to Municipal Court. If your landlord filed a case, you will generally get court papers. They give a hearing date. Going to the hearing matters. Here is what the papers look like, what to bring, and who can help. Updated October 26, 2026 > Information being verified with legal partners. Some details may change. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline to confirm. ## Bring dated City records to your hearing StayTenant gathers dated City records for your address. It marks each one before or after your notice. You get a one-page packet you can print. It is free. [Make your packet](https://staytenant.com/) ## What the court papers look like Court papers are not the same as a notice from your landlord. They generally come from Municipal Court. They name you and your landlord. They give a hearing date, time and place. They may be called a complaint, or a landlord-tenant complaint. - The papers are not an eviction order. A judge decides only after the hearing. - The date on the papers is your hearing date. It is not a move-out date. - Not sure if a paper is from the court? Call the court or the Philly Tenant Hotline to check. ## Go to your hearing Go to your hearing, and be on time. If you do not go, the judge may decide the case without you. Your court papers say where your hearing is. The court's civil office is at 1339 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. For general court questions, call 215-686-7000. ## What to bring - The court papers and the notice from your landlord. - Your lease, if you have one. - Proof of rent you paid: receipts, bank records or money order stubs. - Photos, texts or letters about repairs. Any complaints you made to the City. - Your StayTenant packet, if you made one. It lists City records for your address, with dates. ## Your landlord's rental license and certificate To evict, your landlord generally needs a valid rental license. They also need a Certificate of Rental Suitability. New rules are reported to start on November 1, 2026. Under them, the certificate generally must be dated within 30 days before the case is filed. You may ask your landlord for the certificate. The landlord is reported to have 10 days to give it to you. StayTenant can show the rental license records the City has for your address. You can bring them to court. ## If you complained before you got the notice Did you complain about problems in your home before the notice came? Tell the judge, and bring proof. Punishing a tenant for a complaint is called retaliation. City law generally bars it. New City rules are reported to start on November 1, 2026. They cover a notice that comes within 12 months after a violation was found at your home. They also cover a notice that comes within 12 months after you used a legal right, such as making a complaint. Then your landlord may have to prove the notice was not payback. Once your landlord files in court, the Fair Housing Commission can no longer take your complaint. But you may still be able to raise payback, or a lack of good cause, in court. Confirm with legal help. ## What to do today 1. Read the court papers right away. Write the hearing date where you will see it. 2. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500. You may be able to get free legal help before your hearing. 3. Gather the papers on the list above. 4. Make a StayTenant packet with dated City records for your address. 5. Go to your hearing, on time. ## Common questions ### What happens if I miss my hearing? The judge may decide the case without you. If that happens, call the Philly Tenant Hotline right away. There may still be steps you can take. ### Do I need a lawyer? You do not have to have one. But you may be able to get free legal help. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500 as soon as you get court papers. ### Can I be evicted on the day of the hearing? Generally, no. The hearing is where the judge decides the case. If the judge rules for your landlord, more court steps come before you can be made to leave. Help is still there for you. ### What if my landlord already filed in court? The Fair Housing Commission may no longer take your case. But you still have options. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline. Keep every paper you get. Bring proof of your complaints to court. Also bring proof of your landlord's rental license status. ## Related pages - [Got an eviction notice? What it means and what happens next](https://staytenant.com/eviction-notice-philadelphia/) - [The Eviction Diversion Program](https://staytenant.com/eviction-diversion-program-philadelphia/) - [10-day notice for unpaid rent](https://staytenant.com/10-day-notice-pennsylvania/) - [Philadelphia tenant rights: an overview](https://staytenant.com/philadelphia-tenant-rights/) ## Where to get help - Call the Philly Tenant Hotline: 267-443-2500 ### Fair Housing Commission The Fair Housing Commission is a City office. It hears tenant complaints about unfair rental practices, like a notice that may be payback for a complaint. - Phone: (215) 686-4670 - Email: FairHousingComm@phila.gov - In person: 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106 To file, fill out the Commission's intake form. You can mail, email, or fax it, or bring it in. It is free. [Open the intake form](https://www.phila.gov/documents/fair-housing-commission-intake-form/) Before you file, call to confirm the steps. ## Sources We are still checking the rules in this tool with legal partners. Each rule below shows where it came from and whether it has been verified. Some details may change. Call the Philly Tenant Hotline to confirm. - Philadelphia Municipal Court, Landlord-Tenant: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 26, 2026. See the source: https://www.courts.phila.gov/municipal/civil/ - Rental license requirement: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 27, 2026. See the source: https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-renters-just-scored-a-courtroom-win/ - Certificate of Rental Suitability: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 26, 2026. Source: trustartrealty.com (not linked from this site) - Fair Housing Commission comes before court: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 27, 2026. See the source: https://pubintlaw.org/safe-healthy-homes-faq/ - When the new law starts: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 27, 2026. See the source: https://www.bisnow.com/news/philadelphia/multifamily/renter-protection-legislation-parker-134492 - When a notice is presumed to be payback: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 26, 2026. Source: phila.legistar.com (not linked from this site) - Pennsylvania notice for unpaid rent: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 26, 2026. Source: www.palegis.us (not linked from this site) - 15-day window to act: Not yet verified. Last checked: October 27, 2026. See the source: https://pubintlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SHH-FAQ.pdf --- This tool shows public city records and general information. It is not legal advice. Talk to a tenant lawyer or call the Philly Tenant Hotline. No cookies. We count visits, not people. Your notice date and events stay on your device.