Policy Issues
Listed below are some of the recent policy issues of importance to GPAR. We served as advocates in the legislative process for both our members and Philadelphia property owners.
- Philadelphia Property Assessments: In the spring of 2022, the City of Philadelphia released new property reassessments that would have cost residents hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in property tax increases across the city. We successfully advocated for the enactment of legislation to increase in the Homestead Exemption from $45,000 to $80,000, and for two additional measures expanding eligibility for the Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP) and the Low-income Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze Program. Thousands of emails were sent by GPAR members to City Council via our Call-to-Action. Our Key Contact Program connected with City Hall during the entire process. Our leadership and professional staff engaged with industry leaders, City Council and the Mayor to drive the successful advocacy effort. Learn more about other Philadelphia Homeowner Property Tax Programs.
- 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges: In early July 2022, Governor Tom Wolf signed the tax code into law that recognizes 1031 like-kind exchanges in the commonwealth and provide the tax deferral benefit. This was a big advocacy win for Pennsylvania REALTORS®. Like-kind exchanges are an important tool for encouraging investment, building wealth and creating jobs. Passage of this legislation will help ensure Pennsylvania is competitive with all other states.
- Making Real Estate Essential in Pandemic: At the outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pennsylvania instituted an incredibly restrictive shutdown of real estate services creating difficulties and financial hardships for consumers and GPAR members. In the spring of 2020, GPAR leadership and professional staff successfully worked with elected officials and PAR to convince Governor Wolf to allow real estate transactions to occur with real estate professionals following CDC guidelines. This made housing and the work of our members essential at a critical time.
- Predatory Home Purchasing Legislation: In late 2020, GPAR successfully advocated to protect homeowners from becoming victims to predatory wholesale buying practices. The new law increases consumer protections for property owners, preserves generational equity built through homeownership, gives the City tools to combat predatory wholesaler home purchasers, and raises the level of professionalism in the real estate community. The bill was signed into law November 19, 2020.
- Good Cause Legislation: This ordinance requires good cause for non-renewal of certain residential leases and to provide for a first option for existing tenants to renew a lease for a lease less than twelve (12) months. GPAR along with the Real Estate Coalition (REC) advocated against the Bill and the Bill was narrowed down in terms of its application to only leases less than a year. This Bill passed on December 6, 2018. The mayor signed the Bill and it was effective on April 22, 2019.
- Construction Tax: In early 2018, City Council introduced legislation seeking to impose a 1% tax on any new construction or improvement. The money collected by the tax would have gone to the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund (HTF). GPAR & REC advocated against the Bill. The Bill passed with a narrow 9-8 vote in City Council. Subsequently, the Bill was eventually withdrawn.
- Real Estate Property Tax & Real Estate Transfer Tax: GPAR launched a strategic campaign against the 2018 proposed increase in property and transfer tax legislations. The campaign resulted in thousands of phone calls and emails going to City Councilmembers and the Mayor. In the end, the campaign successfully helped to defeat the proposed real estate property tax increase and substantially reduced the increase in the real estate transfer tax.
- Mixed Income Housing Legislation: The Bill was introduced in 2017 and would have required compulsory 10% affordable housing in a new residential construction project. GPAR and the REC successfully negotiated to make the Bill optional and provide zoning bonuses to developers to incorporate affordable housing in new constructions.
- Anti-squatting Legislation: Squatting is the unlawful occupation of a property. In Philadelphia, this problem has become widespread in residential properties and in nearly every neighborhood as revealed in our early 2017 survey of all GPAR members. Squatting impacts our industry by causing delays in the sale of property by rightful property owners, incurs expenses to repair and clean up damaged property and often places our member’s safety at risk when finding unlawful occupants in a house. In 2016, GPAR was an active stakeholder to help increase awareness and find solutions to address squatting. GPAR helped create a conduit between members and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia City Council to better handle squatting complaints.
- Fraudulent Leases: GPAR advocated on behalf of the members once again to help Councilwoman Parker introduce the anti-fraudulent leases legislation. This legislation was a direct result of GPAR’s advocacy to protect the lawful property owners and the tenants who were defrauded by individuals executing fraudulent leases. The Bill provides for civil penalties up to $2,000 for persons engaging in fraudulent leases. The victim and/or the property claim damages and have rights to pursue other legal action as available under law.
- Actual Value Initiative: GPAR was at the organizational forefront to pass Actual Value Initiative (AVI) legislation. AVI was implemented in 2014 for the assessment of all real property—land and buildings—in Philadelphia at their current market value. The purpose of AVI is to make sure that all values are assessed fairly, uniformly and in compliance with state laws and industry standards. It ensures that properties of equal value get the same assessments. The City’s conversion to AVI was a massive effort, which simultaneously reassessed property values for the City’s almost 600,000 residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and GPAR proudly served as a critical voice in this process. For more information related to AVI, click here.
- Philadelphia Land Bank: GPAR worked in partnership with organizations of the Philadelphia Land Bank Alliance to ensure that the voice of the real estate community was heard. The Philadelphia Land Bank Alliance to create an effective land bank in Philadelphia. These allies included for-profit and non-profit builders, neighborhood civic associations, REALTORS®, architects, environmental groups, and anti-blight organizations. In December 2013, Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed legislation creating the Philadelphia Land Bank – the nation’s largest land bank. Philadelphia now has a powerful tool to return vacant and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. It simplifies the process of transferring properties from public agencies to private owners. It also acquires privately owned vacant parcels that are roadblocks to revitalization by foreclosing on them and can clear liens from titles will make properties more attractive to potential new owners. To learn more please click here.