Program Description
As maintenance and repair needs grow among Philadelphia’s aging rental housing stock, PHDC is committed to ensuring that small landlords can access capital to make much-needed repairs while maintaining reasonable rents. PHDC’s Rental Improvement Fund (RIF) offers a loan product to small landlords to repair their rental properties. Loans are eligible for full forgiveness or a preferable 0% interest rate if landlords meet program affordability requirements during the loan term.
Which landlords and properties are eligible?
- Landlords who own no more than 15 rental units across no more than 5 rental properties. This total includes rental properties owned by individuals and associated LLCs inside and outside of Philadelphia.
- Landlords must be able to produce a tax compliance certificate.
- Units where the current rent is affordable to households earning at or under 60% AMI (see rent guidelines chart below)
- Occupied properties do not need a rental license if repair issues currently prevent the property from obtaining one.
- Â Vacant properties must have a rental license
- Properties must be able to comply with the building code after RIF-funded repairs are complete, which means the cost of all essential repairs must fit within the RIF loan amount.
Maximum current rent for all units that will benefit from RIF repairs
| Maximum Monthly Rent by Number of Bedrooms | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (Studio) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| $1,081 | $1,218 | $1,470 | $1,741 | $1,942 | $2,143 | $2,343 |
What repairs are eligible?
RIF cannot cover the cost of repairs completed before the loan is closed. All repair work must be done by a licensed and insured contractor. Loan proceeds can be used for any repair that addresses a safety, health, habitability, energy or water efficiency, concern. Examples of repairs that are covered include (but not limited to):
- New and repaired roofs, windows, doors
- Repairs to deteriorated walls, floors and ceilings
- Asbestos, mold, and lead remediation
- Electrical and plumbing improvements
- Heating and cooling systems, and energy efficiency upgrades
Loan Product
RIF will lend a maximum of $100,000 to a single landlord.
Loan Product 1: $25K/10Y
- Loan amount: $10,000-$24,999 per property
- Loan term: 10 years
- Forgiveness schedule: The loan will be forgiven 20% annually beginning in Year 6 if conditions are met.
- Interest Rate: 4% if affordability requirements are not met
- Unoccupied rental properties must have an active rental license.
Learn More about this Loan Product
Application Process
Read the
Gather required application materials.
In addition to repair estimates and
current leases, you’ll need the
following RIF form:
At any point in the process:
Phone: 215-448-3006
Email: Rentalimprove@phila.gov