Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal asked City Council during budget hearings this week to more than double the size of the office’s eviction unit by hiring 14 additional detectives.
She made the request to clear a mounting backlog and stabilize scheduling for court-ordered lockouts across the city.
Sheriff Seeks More Eviction Detectives in FY Budget
The office currently deploys 8 to 12 detectives daily for eviction operations.
After assuming sole responsibility for lockouts, the unit scaled scheduling from roughly 25 to more than 140 per week, routinely requiring overtime.
Chief Inspector David Fallen said the office is about to turn the corner on keeping pace with new cases.
Background on the sheriff’s effort to expand eviction staffing and clear a backlog outlines the operational ramp-up since taking over inherited cases.
Workload Shift After LTO Shutdown
The sheriff’s office became the city’s only eviction enforcer after the Landlord and Tenant Office closed in late 2024 following shootings by deputized contractors.
With the for-profit model halted, average case completion now takes about six months, roughly triple earlier timelines when landlords could hire the LTO.
Context on Philadelphia’s for-profit landlord-tenant eviction system and fee structure explains how the prior arrangement differed from the current process.
Operational Effects on Leasing and Cash Flow
Longer timelines expand exposure to uncollected rent, with landlords citing losses as they continue paying mortgages, taxes, and insurance.
HAPCO Philadelphia’s counsel said extended cases are translating to higher asking rents and tighter application screening as owners avoid the risk of prolonged nonpayment.
For property managers, delayed possession complicates turn scheduling, elongates vacancy windows, and increases carrying costs for managed properties.
Budget Path and Timeline for Relief
Bilal is seeking an additional $19.2 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1st.
The office’s current budget is $35.5 million, and the mayor’s proposal effectively includes no new funding.
Lawmakers must approve the city budget by June 30th.
The sheriff’s team reports improving throughput on new filings, but backlog reduction depends on whether hiring authority and funding are approved.
Historical Oversight Context and Fee Differentials
Before the shutdown, landlords often used a private office that charged lower fees than the sheriff for similar services.
City oversight has also been under review, with City Council’s 2023 hearing on the Landlord-Tenant Officer’s oversight and training highlighting the absence of formal local protocols compared with other jurisdictions.
These historical factors inform operator expectations around site procedures, notification practices, and lockout scheduling going forward.