{"asOf":"2026-07-27T11:21:39.187Z","block":"1600-1699 S 5TH ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1600-1699-s-5th-st","address":"1615 S 5TH ST","parcelNumber":"011447600","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=011447600","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"multi-family","isHouse":false,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O50","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW 3 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"Multi-family","owner":"BUTLER CAITLIN","coOwner":"ROBITZSCH JAN MAXIMILLIAN","marketValue":437600,"landAssessment":87520,"improvementAssessment":350080,"livableArea":2400,"yearBuilt":1915,"lastSale":{"price":495000,"date":"2021-07-01T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"2771324","date":"2013-04-22","code":"PM-102.3/1","title":"LICENSE-RES SFD/2FD","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"377150","type":"STANDARD","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"HCEU","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2013-04-23","completedDate":"2013-05-29","violations":[{"number":"2771324","date":"2013-04-22","code":"PM-102.3/1","title":"LICENSE-RES SFD/2FD","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2013,"n":1,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"377150","date":"2013-04-22","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"377150","date":"2013-05-28","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2013,"fails":1,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.928133449447856,"lng":-75.15360065662648,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.153483834,39.928139619],[-75.153493829,39.928097223],[-75.153716919,39.928126906],[-75.15370707,39.9281699],[-75.153483834,39.928139619]]]},"liDistrict":"SOUTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19148","beds":5,"baths":3,"stories":3,"lotArea":1008,"zoning":"RM1","grade":"B","basement":"C","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"1615 S 5TH ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19148","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":3,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":186700,"taxable":186700,"land":16934,"improvement":169766,"taxableLand":16934,"taxableImprovement":169766,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":186700,"taxable":186700,"land":41634,"improvement":145066,"taxableLand":41634,"taxableImprovement":145066,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":186700,"taxable":186700,"land":41634,"improvement":145066,"taxableLand":41634,"taxableImprovement":145066,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":263400,"taxable":263400,"land":58738,"improvement":204662,"taxableLand":58738,"taxableImprovement":204662,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":285400,"taxable":285400,"land":63644,"improvement":221756,"taxableLand":63644,"taxableImprovement":221756,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":285400,"taxable":285400,"land":63644,"improvement":221756,"taxableLand":63644,"taxableImprovement":221756,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":285400,"taxable":285400,"land":63644,"improvement":221756,"taxableLand":63644,"taxableImprovement":221756,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":359000,"taxable":279000,"land":71800,"improvement":287200,"taxableLand":71800,"taxableImprovement":207200,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2024,"v":359000,"taxable":279000,"land":71800,"improvement":287200,"taxableLand":71800,"taxableImprovement":207200,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2025,"v":410100,"taxable":410100,"land":82020,"improvement":328080,"taxableLand":82020,"taxableImprovement":328080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":410100,"taxable":410100,"land":82020,"improvement":328080,"taxableLand":82020,"taxableImprovement":328080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":437600,"taxable":437600,"land":87520,"improvement":350080,"taxableLand":87520,"taxableImprovement":350080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5741,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"226415","date":"2009-07-15","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2011-01-10","scope":"INSTALL (2) 100 AMP SINGLE PHASE ELECTRIC METER SOCKETS, 240V ...... IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2005 NEC"},{"number":"250502","date":"2009-11-30","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2009-12-10","scope":"HT,FAI"},{"number":"610118","date":"2015-05-14","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2015-05-14","scope":"USE AS TWO FAMILY DWELLING"},{"number":"PP-2021-012448","date":"2021-09-09","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-09-17","scope":"Installation of a Dishwasher in Kitchen/ Laundry Box in Basement for washer machine."},{"number":"EP-2021-009816","date":"2021-09-17","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-07-14","scope":"Run a new 20 amp circuit from the 1st floor unit panel in the basement to the kitchen. Install a surface mounted GFCI outlet under the sink 3 - Replace a tamper resistant GFCI outlet and cover plate for indoor application 10 - new circuits 2 - new outlets 14 - new light and switches Run 100 amp SER cable from the basement panel a new location in the 3rd floor Hallway HOM3060 100ampPanel EC in 3rd floor hallway Junction the existing circuits in the old bathroom closet sub-panel and run the wires over to the new hallway panel location 1 - circuit extension 1x new 10/3 line from panel To electric dryer location -install new dryer cord Replace GFCI outlet Fish only as per 2014 nec"},{"number":"RP-2021-013878","date":"2021-09-17","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2022-08-30","scope":"For the installation of star bolts per the engineer's plans."}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":5.85,"timeline":[{"y":2009,"k":"sale","p":72300},{"y":2009,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2009,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2013,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2013,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 1 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2015,"k":"sale","p":195000},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Use"},{"y":2021,"k":"sale","p":495000},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"}],"rented":true,"licenses":[{"number":"593818","type":"Rental","status":"Inactive","businessName":"CHUAN ZHONG CHEN","legalName":"CHUAN ZHONG CHEN","address":"1615 S 5TH ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":1,"issuedDate":"2013-05-15","latestIssueDate":"2014-02-22","expirationDate":"2015-02-28","inactiveDate":"2015-04-29"},{"number":"672227","type":"Rental","status":"Inactive","businessName":"JACOPO DENICOLA","legalName":"JACOPO DENICOLA","address":"1615 S 5TH ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":2,"issuedDate":"2015-07-24","latestIssueDate":"2021-07-13","expirationDate":"2022-07-31","inactiveDate":"2022-09-29"},{"number":"875125","type":"Rental","status":"Active","businessName":"CAITLIN BUTLER","legalName":"CAITLIN BUTLER","address":"1615 S 5TH ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":2,"issuedDate":"2021-08-11","latestIssueDate":"2025-08-04","expirationDate":"2026-08-10","inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"875125","type":"Rental","businessName":"CAITLIN BUTLER","legalName":"CAITLIN BUTLER","issuedDate":"2021-08-11","latestIssueDate":"2025-08-04","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":"2026-08-10","inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true},{"number":"672227","type":"Rental","businessName":"JACOPO DENICOLA","legalName":"JACOPO DENICOLA","issuedDate":"2015-07-24","latestIssueDate":"2021-07-13","closureDate":"2022-09-29","expirationDate":"2022-07-31","inactiveDate":"2022-09-29","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false},{"number":"593818","type":"Rental","businessName":"CHUAN ZHONG CHEN","legalName":"CHUAN ZHONG CHEN","issuedDate":"2013-05-15","latestIssueDate":"2014-02-22","closureDate":"2015-04-29","expirationDate":"2015-02-28","inactiveDate":"2015-04-29","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","units":2,"signals":[{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"elevated","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 3 permit events matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2021","permit activity in 2021"],"caveat":"This does not show that the property is listed or that a sale is planned."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Use permit #610118: COMPLETED.","why":"Philadelphia says a zoning approval or Property Sales Certification can identify a use without proving that it was established under the Building Code. A change of use, unit count, exits, or fire rating can require a Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy.","action":"Verify the lawful use, unit count, associated construction permits, and Certificate of Occupancy with L&I.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-certificate-of-occupancy/"},{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"1 permit not marked completed: RP-2021-013878 (Expired). At least one row also carries a completion date, so the City fields conflict.","why":"Issued work is not the same as approved final work. L&I uses final inspections and required certifications to close construction permits; expired, withdrawn, and completed are different City statuses.","action":"Open the permit file and confirm final inspections, holds, and any resulting occupancy certificate.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"rental-license","level":"verify","title":"A rental license does not transfer with the deed","finding":"1 active Rental License record matched.","why":"If dwelling space is rented, the buyer must obtain a new annual Rental License; the seller’s license is not transferable. New applications require proof of ownership and legal occupancy, tax compliance, no open L&I violations, and lead compliance where applicable.","action":"Plan the buyer’s replacement license before settlement.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/rent-or-sell-property/get-a-rental-license/"},{"id":"lead","level":"verify","title":"Lead compliance is a separate record","finding":"OPA records a 1915 build year; BlockReport does not receive the Health Department’s unit-level lead certificate file.","why":"Philadelphia requires covered pre-March-1978 rentals to be certified lead-safe or lead-free for a new or renewed lease and for a new or renewed Rental License. A certificate is unit-specific; a renovation does not by itself create an exemption.","action":"Request the current lead certificate or City exemption for every dwelling unit.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/documents/lead-and-healthy-homes-resources-for-landlords/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"1 failed, 1 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on May 28, 2013.","why":"A PASSED or FAILED value applies to that inspection visit. CLOSED is a separate source status; none of the three alone proves the parent permit or violation case closed—or describes today’s condition.","action":"Open the parent case/permit for each material failure and confirm its later disposition.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"commercial-trash","level":"verify","title":"A separate Commercial Trash account may apply","finding":"OPA classifies the parcel as multi-family. BlockReport does not receive a current Commercial Trash account balance.","why":"Philadelphia charges qualifying small commercial, mixed-use, and multi-unit properties that use City collection; exemptions and private collection can change applicability. A use category alone does not prove a fee is due.","action":"Check the Commercial Trash account inside the date-effective Property Payoff.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/2026-06-09-pay-your-trash-fee-bill-by-june-30/"},{"id":"violations","level":"clear","title":"No open violation; closed history remains relevant","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 1 historical violation across 1 case.","why":"A closed case is materially better than an open one, but it does not by itself prove that every altered use, unit, or concealed condition matches today’s approvals.","action":"Use the closed cases to target the inspection and occupancy-file review.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"}],"closingChecks":[{"title":"Property Sales Certification","body":"The seller must obtain Philadelphia’s certificate showing the base zoning, last use in the zoning record, and open violations. The City warns that it does not prove Building Code occupancy or show zoning overlays.","action":"Obtain the fresh certificate and compare it with the CO, permits, and Atlas overlays.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-property-sales-certification/"},{"title":"Date-effective City Property Payoff","body":"The Tax Center Property Payoff covers Real Estate Tax, Commercial Trash, and L&I abatement-work invoices. Philadelphia says it does not include business-tax debts or liens, water and sewer charges, or fines for code violations.","action":"Request the City statement effective through settlement; read every period and invoice.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/guides/philadelphia-tax-center/what-to-do/"},{"title":"Professional title and water-lien searches","body":"OPA ownership, deed summaries, and a zero tax balance are not clear title. Mortgages, judgments, municipal claims, water liens, easements, heirs, and other encumbrances require separate searches.","action":"Use a Pennsylvania lawyer/title company and obtain owner’s title insurance; order the separate water search/payoff.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/2026-04-07-why-title-insurance-is-your-best-friend-when-buying-a-home-in-philadelphia/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/water-gas-utilities/pay-or-dispute-a-water-bill/resolve-water-liens-judgments/"},{"title":"Seller-specific tax relief is not the buyer’s bill","body":"LOOP and low-income or senior Real Estate Tax freezes depend on the qualifying owner and continued program eligibility; a buyer cannot assume the seller’s capped or frozen bill continues. A separately verified property abatement often remains with the property for its remaining term, but program-specific new-owner filing, use, and tax-compliance conditions still must be confirmed—not inferred from the reduced assessment alone.","action":"Have Revenue or OPA identify every current benefit, model the buyer’s bill without seller-specific relief, and confirm any verified abatement in writing.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/payment-plans-and-assistance-programs/income-based-programs-for-residents/apply-for-the-longtime-owner-occupants-program-loop/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/tax-freeze/"},{"title":"Seller disclosure and independent inspections","body":"For a covered Pennsylvania residential transfer, obtain the statutory seller disclosure. It reports the seller’s knowledge; it is not a warranty, title search, code review, or substitute for inspections. Because OPA dates this building before 1978, separately obtain the required federal/City lead disclosures and any test results.","action":"Have the agreement and disclosure reviewed for this transaction’s coverage and exceptions.","url":"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission"}]}