The tax certificate for the first 3-4 years has been purchased by an investor, and after talking to the county it seems like this year it will likely be possessed and put to auction.I've managed to reach the owner through snail mail, who is an elderly couple who called me back and left a VM basically sounding like they don't want anything to do with the lot. 

Then with your license on hand go to Philadelphia. gov and find get a "certificate of rental suitability".Punch in your inf. like mailing address and rental licenses number and voila you can print your certificate of rental suitability. 

@Priya Thomas Yes, you can purchase unsold tax lien certificate from township.

I read about estoppel certificates and get the concept.

- If I were buying a place with poor records and no leases, I would require an "Estoppel Certificate" from every current tenant.

Hi, thank you all for the replies, I found the statue:197.432 Sale of tax certificates for unpaid taxes(13) The holder of a tax certificate may not directly, through an agent, or otherwise initiate contact with the owner of property upon which he or she holds a tax certificate to encourage or demand payment until 2 years after April 1 of the year of issuance of the tax certificate.(14) Any holder of a tax certificate who, prior to the date 2 years after April 1 of the year of issuance of the tax certificate, initiates, or whose agent initiates, contact with the property owner upon which he or she holds a certificate encouraging or demanding payment may be barred by the tax collector from bidding at a tax certificate sale.

Take a trip down to your local county viatical statistic department and request the death certificate.

The problems with using this setup in the instant scenario: 1) the rehab and holding costs are unknown and would have to be estimated which imo would conflict with the certifications in the DoT; and 2) the costs including recordation taxes and fees and doc prep would all come out of OP's pocket up front.

Possible areas we have considered are: The WoodlandsHumbleTomballSugarlandWhat we've done so far....Attended the first time home buyers course at the Houston Urban League who has provided us with individual certificates that's good for down payment assistance from the city of Houston.

I'm from California looking to invest out of state and have found a potential partner in Texas.This person is well connected with off market wholesalers, is a licensed contractor and is now getting certifications as a PM.