Your Philadelphia renter's toolkit — find your trash day, set up utilities, get a parking permit, and keep the numbers that matter close. Bookmark this page.
Keep these in your phone. For a true emergency — fire, injury, a gas smell — always call 911 first and get out of the building.
Collection day depends on your exact address — look it up once and set a weekly reminder.
Get these going a few days before move-in so you're never without heat or lights. Have a photo ID and proof of your new address handy.
Set up service online or by phone before you move in.
Start PECO service ↗Philadelphia Gas Works serves the whole city. Start online or by phone — have your Social Security number ready.
Start PGW service ↗Water is frequently included by your landlord — check your lease first. If it's in your name, set it up with the Water Revenue Bureau.
Become a water customer ↗Xfinity (Comcast) and Verizon Fios are the main options here. Ask about low-cost plans like Internet Essentials or Verizon Forward if you qualify.
If your block has permit parking or seasonal street sweeping, a few minutes of setup saves you a stack of tickets.
Philadelphia is genuinely walkable, and SEPTA covers the rest — buses, the Broad Street and Market–Frankford subway lines, trolleys, and Regional Rail.
Philadelphia has real, no-shame programs that lower your monthly bills based on income. If you might qualify, it's worth a call.
Pay rent and submit maintenance requests anytime through your resident portal. For a true emergency — no heat in winter, a major leak, or a gas smell — take the safety step first, then call us right away at 215-703-7368.
Curious what your landlord is required to do, or facing a tough situation? Start here.
Heads up. This page collects helpful Philadelphia resources for renters and is current as of June 2026. City programs, phone numbers, and schedules can change — always confirm details through the official links above. For anything specific to your home or lease, reach out to us directly.