January 09, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
Phila.'s Landlord Gateway Program Creates Centralized Online Portal for City LandlordsLast year, the city of Philadelphia created an online portal called the landlord gateway program which allows for easy, centralized access to the resources needed for current and prospective landlords to navigate the city's processes and requirements in single location. In this article, we give a brief overview of the topics covered in the gateway and provide a basic checklist for aspiring and existing landlords.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
8 minute read
December 04, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Court: Exterior Inspections May Not be Enough—Demolition as a Last ResortIn a recent decision, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in City of Philadelphia v. A Kensington Joint, cautioned that local governments in Pennsylvania desiring to demolish an allegedly unsafe building structure may need to rely on more than just an inspection of the exterior of the building structure before having it demolished by way of court order.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
8 minute read
November 08, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Commonwealth Court Rejects Attempt to Strike Down Ordinance Due to Alleged Spot ZoningIn a recently published opinion, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in Burd v. Borough of Brentwood Zoning Hearing Board, rejected an appeal brought by neighboring property owners alleging that a local ordinance constituted impermissible spot zoning.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Hamilton
8 minute read
October 09, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Variance Requests, Aggrieved Parties and the Open Market Fueled by Friendly CompetitionIn a recent opinion, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in South Bethlehem Associates v. Zoning Hearing Board of Bethlehem Township, 294 A.3d 441 (Pa. 2023) established that a party appearing before a local zoning board cannot subsequently seek judicial review of a variance request granted by the local zoning board unless that party is deemed an aggrieved party.
By Alan Nochumson and Tamarrin Johnson
7 minute read
September 05, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Court Upholds School District's Ability to File Tax Assessment Appeals on Recently Sold, Underassessed PropertiesIn a published opinion issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in GM Berkshire Hills v. Berks County Board of Assessment, 290 A.3d 238 (Pa. 2023), a split court upheld the ability of school districts to file real estate tax assessment appeals on recently sold, underassessed properties.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
7 minute read
August 09, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Court Estops Township From Revoking Governmental Approval for Real Estate Development ProjectThe Commonwealth Court prevented a township from compelling a property developer to modify an already constructed building structure that technically ran afoul of local zoning ordinances based upon the doctrines of variance by estoppel and equitable estoppel due to the failure of township officials to provide the property developer with proper guidance during the real estate development project.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
8 minute read
July 07, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Tenant Not Entitled to Rent Abatement Stemming From Landlord's Lead Paint SuitCan a long-term tenant sue for rent abatement and reimbursement of legal fees and costs for their landlord's failure to comply with the city of Philadelphia's lead paint disclosure and certification laws in a renewal lease? For a long-term tenant living in an apartment unit in the Haddington neighborhood of West Philadelphia the answer is no.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
7 minute read
June 05, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
People's Preservation Package Seeks to Maintain Affordable Housing in Phila.Councilmember Jamie Gauthier's newly passed People's Preservation Package seeks to halt the potential freefall for federally assisted affordable housing (affordable housing) in Philadelphia.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
6 minute read
May 01, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Home Rule Law Decision in Pittsburgh Raises Questions About Property Rental RegulationsThe ruling in Landlord Service Bureau may have an affect on other municipalities whose authority derives from the Home Rule Law, including the city of Philadelphia. It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia's rental inspection and licensing ordinances may now be challenged as a result.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldbert
7 minute read
April 03, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Court Analyzes Relationship Neighboring Properties Have When an Easement Exists Between ThemThe Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently issued an opinion regarding zoning ordinance interpretations and the relationship that neighboring properties may have when an easement exists between them.
By Alan Nochumson and Alex Goldberg
7 minute read