Form 81-900 (1) - Housing Rental License Application printable pdf download

HOUSING RENTAL LICENSE

HOW TO COMPLETE THIS FORM

Most of the questions on the application are self explanatory. The questions that need explanation are discussed

below. The numbers match the numbered questions on the application.

1. Address of Property - Fill in the full address of the property in which licensed activity will take place.

2. Name of Owner/Operator - Full name must be used. Operator of boarding homes, shelters,

personal care homes, old age homes, etc., is responsible for getting this license.

4. Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Account Number - This is a number assigned by the

Philadelphia Revenue Department to identify tax accounts. One tax account number is used for all of your

City licenses, if under the same Business entity name and tax account number. If you do not have a tax

account number, please go to and ﬁ ll out an application for a Philadelphia

Business Tax Account Number. Any tax accounts previously opened for you which are unsettled or

delinquent will cause a delay and may preclude the issuance of new licenses.

5. Philadelphia Commercial Activity License (3702) - Required for every person desiring to engage

in business within the City of Philadelphia whether or not such person maintains a place of business in

the City. This is a free, lifetime license and can be used for all your business ventures if

using the same entity name and tax account number. Fill in the license number if you already have

one. If you do not already have this license, you can apply by ﬁ lling out form 81-685A, which can

be downloaded from the web

a) A Commercial Activity License is not required for a Vacant Building/ Lot License.

No license shall be issued or renewed if the entity is delinquent in the ﬁ ling or payment of City taxes.

6. Federal Tax Identiﬁ cation Number - Fill in your federal tax number. For individuals, it is the

same as your Social Security Number. For other taxable or tax exempt entities, it is the number

assigned by the IRS for reporting purposes. If a business does not have a number yet, ﬁ ll in the

Social Security Number of the owner, president, or chief partner. You can supply the business’s

federal tax number when it is assigned. No applications will be accepted without a Federal Tax ID

Number.

8. Name of Agent - If the owner/ operator resides outside of Philadelphia, an agent who resides

within the city limits must be designated by the owner/ operator. The agent will be responsible to forward

notices, orders, or summonses to the owner. Agent qualiﬁ cations:

a) Agent must be a person over the age of eighteen (18) who lives in Philadelphia or is regularly

available at a Philadelphia address.

b) If the agent’s address is a business address, a Commercial Activity License must be registered there.

c) There is no requirement that the agent be empowered to do more than forward notices, orders, or

summonses to the owner, though further powers may be granted. Compensation to the agent also is

not an issue regardless of the limits of their responsibilities.

81-900 (2) (Rev. 1/17)

Form 81-900 (1) - Housing Rental License Application