Gainey Provides Update on Residential Housing Registration Program
Pittsburgh’s Mayor Ed Gainey has provided an update on the voluntary registration period for the Residential Housing Rental Registration Program that began in December.
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The registration period began in mid December and lasts until June 1. The program is designed to uphold high standards of safety, health, and habitability in the city’s rental properties.
In December, a judge reviewed the city’s plans to open the program to voluntary registrations. A court order allowed the city to proceed with the efforts and required no action other than enforcement. Gainey said the city is in compliance with the court order.
To date, the city has received 130 voluntary applications from property owners, including out-of-state landlords, who are seeking to register their rental properties. This early phase demonstrated that many properties involved are owned by individuals residing outside of Pennsylvania.
Managed by the city’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), the program will enable the systematic registration and inspection of residential rental properties to ensure that all tenants and visitors in Pittsburgh live in safe spaces. The registration process will also extend to short-term rental properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
PLI inspections will verify compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code, which sets minimum standards for reasonable safety and livability levels. Additionally, rental units must meet basic standards for habitability, including functioning heat, electricity, and running water.
A total of 130 properties have sent in applications, of which 13 have already scheduled and received inspections. For the remaining units, property owners have 90 days from the date PLI approves the application to choose an inspection date. If they do not choose one, PLI will contact the applicant to schedule the inspection.
Of the units already inspected, five passed inspection and received a rental permit, while seven remain in the inspection process. The most common issue for those that did not pass initial inspection was noncompliant flexible dryer vents, which create risks of fire, mold, and malfunction.
Property owners may voluntarily register their rental units through June 1. After that date, PLI will begin enforcement actions for properties that do not hold a valid rental permit. Property owners can register rental units through the OneStopPGH portal or in person at the OneStopPGH counter at 412 Boulevard of the Allies.