Evict inherited tenant in Philadelphia

[Jennifer T.]

I just bought a house a month ago and inherited a tenant. She’s decided to not pay her rent and has been unresponsive to me. I’m located in Philadelphia and I realize that the laws here are not landlord friendly. A couple of things to note:

1. It’s taking longer than normal to get the rental license because of COVID so I’m at the mercy of the city. 
2. Her lease is up in a couple of weeks. It was originally a yearly lease but it’s from 2019 and renewed for one year in 2020

3. The house was purchased with a owner occupied loan

My original plan was to just go through with the eviction because of nonpayment. But I see that Philadelphia has an eviction prevention program due to COVID. So far I’ve only issued a pay or quit notice. The 10 days expired 3 days ago and still nothing. My new idea is to just issue notice that her lease will not be getting renewed and to use the fact that I need to live in one of the units as the good cause reason. Any one have any insight on this?

[Corby Goade]

I'm surprised the underwriter on your loan allowed it to close without a clear path for you to occupy. 

The eviction moratorium has no bearing on your situation, you can choose to not renew the lease once it expires for whatever reason you like- or no reason at all. You don't have to explain why, you just don't renew it. Be sure to provide the tenant notice in writing in accordance with state law and your lease- I'd suggest you hire an attorney to serve the notice so that you have a professional third party who can back you up. Typically that'll just cost you a couple hundred bucks and you won't have to worry if you did it correctly. 

Best of luck!