Selling a house in East Lansdowne Borough, PA: what the city requires
Delaware County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026
East Lansdowne Borough requires a resale U&O before settlement. Published fee: $100. Lead paint testing for pre-1978 homes by a certified risk assessor.
What East Lansdowne Borough requires
Resale U&O
- Who does it
- Municipal code office. The seller applies.
- Cost
- $100
- Lead paint testing for pre-1978 homes by a certified risk assessor.
Housing in East Lansdowne Borough
- Median year homes were built
- 1939 or earlier
- Median home value
- $200,400
- Owner-occupied homes
- 744 of 1,170 (64%)
- Total housing units
- 1,269
With half the homes built before 1940, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for East Lansdowne borough, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
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How the resale use & occupancy (u&o) process works
About half of the municipalities in suburban Philadelphia require a resale use and occupancy certificate or similar sign-off before settlement. Pennsylvania's MCOCA law limits how a town can use violations to block a sale.
- Apply as soon as you list. Many towns ask for 14 to 60 days of lead time, and some double the fee for late applications.
- Pass the inspection to get a full certificate.
- If there are minor violations, the town must issue a temporary certificate. The buyer then usually has 12 months to fix them.
- If there are substantial violations, the buyer can still close with a temporary access certificate but cannot move in until the work is done.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Municipal fee | $0 to $300 |
Read the full resale use & occupancy (u&o) guide
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does East Lansdowne Borough require before I sell my house?
East Lansdowne Borough requires a resale U&O before settlement. Published fee: $100. Lead paint testing for pre-1978 homes by a certified risk assessor.
How much does the resale u&o cost in East Lansdowne Borough?
$100 Typical related costs: municipal fee $0 to $300.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in East Lansdowne Borough?
The median home in East Lansdowne Borough was built in 1939 or earlier, and the median home value is $200,400, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Philadelphia & suburbs
- Clifton Heights Borough Required at sale
- Collingdale Borough Required at sale
- Colwyn Borough Required at sale
- Concord Township (Glen Mills) Required at sale
- Darby Borough Required at sale
- Darby Township Required at sale
- Eddystone Borough Required at sale
- Edgmont Township Required at sale
- Folcroft Borough Required at sale
- Glenolden Borough Required at sale
- Haverford Township Required at sale
- Lansdowne Borough Required at sale
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Sources
- Greater Philadelphia Home Sale Fee Index (Aug. 2026 edition)
- Suburban Realtors Alliance, Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (MCOCA)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
- East Lansdowne Borough home sale guide, Greater Philadelphia Home Sale Fee Index
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.