HAPCO Philadelphia needs low-to-moderate-income rental property owners and their tenants affected by the proposed High Rise Sprinkler Retrofit Bill to let us know how many units and tenants you have before a February 2023 City Council hearing.

A coalition of HP, the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, and others, succeeded in delaying Councilmember Mark Squilla’s bill until early next after it suddenly reappeared on City Council’s agenda without warning.

The proposed sprinkler retrofit bill requires buildings over 75-feet-tall to install sprinkler systems without any financial assistance for rental owners the tenants they’d have to displace.

During an emergency Zoom call, HAPCO Philadelphia and the Coalition estimated the retrofit will run between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit, provided there aren’t any problems, such as asbestos.  And the current stack pipe also cannot be used.

Rental owners will also have to pay to relocate their tenants while the installation is being done.

HAPCO Philadelphia NEEDS AFFECTED RENTAL OWNERS TO TELL US HOW MANY UNITS AND TENANTS WILL BE IMPACTED SO WE CAN TELL CITY COUNCIL AT A FEBRUARY 2023 PUBLIC HEARING!!!

Please reply ASAP to HP’s office at hapcooffice@hapcophiladelphia.com with the following information:

A) Number of buildings affected

B) Number of units in each building

C) Number of tenants in the buildings

D) Name, address, and contact information for any affected low-to-moderate-income rental owners and tenants who wish to speak at the City Council public hearing November 29th 10am.

Please respond ASAP!  HAPCO Philadelphia will keep you updated on any breaking news about the sprinkler bill.