How Max Leases a Rental
1. Price It From Current Rental Comps. Max starts with rents for comparable units nearby, then adjusts for layout, condition, laundry, outdoor space, parking and which utilities are included. A unit priced right the first time rents faster than one that has to be cut.
2. Clear the Paperwork First. Philadelphia landlords need a rental license, a Certificate of Rental Suitability for each new tenant and, for most buildings built before 1978, lead-safe certification. Max checks those before the listing goes live so nothing holds up a signed lease.
3. Market It to Qualified Renters. The listing is written for the renters the unit actually fits, with photos that show the layout and the light, and it goes out where Philadelphia renters search.
4. Screen Every Applicant the Same Way. Each applicant is measured against the same written criteria for income, credit and rental history, applied equally to everyone as fair housing law requires.
5. Negotiate and Sign. Max negotiates the start date, term and deposit, then walks the owner through the lease before anyone signs.
What Sets the Rent
Rent follows the unit, the block and the calendar. The biggest drivers are bedroom count and layout, the kitchen and bath, in-unit laundry, outdoor space, parking and whether heat, water or internet are included. Distance to SEPTA and PATCO stations matters in Center City and the river wards. Timing matters too: more renters search in spring and summer, so a winter vacancy often needs sharper pricing and a flexible start date.
Small fixes can move the number more than they cost. Fresh paint, working fixtures and a deep clean before photos are the usual first steps. Max flags what is worth doing and what is not before the unit is listed.
Rent It or Sell It?
Some owners are deciding between a tenant and a sale. Max lays out both: the rent the unit should command against what it would likely sell for and what the owner keeps after closing costs. Owners can start with a home valuation or read how Max sells a home and underwrites investment property.
$1.1M+ in leases across Philadelphia and New Jersey
Related reading: Philadelphia Rental License Rules · Selling Your Home Like a Campaign
How does Max set the rent for a property?
What does a Philadelphia landlord need before leasing a unit?
How are tenants screened?
Does Max lease properties in New Jersey?
How long does it take to lease a rental?
Should I rent my home or sell it?
Request a Rent Analysis
Tell Max about the property and when it is available. He will come back with a rent range from current comps and what it takes to lease it.
