{"asOf":"2026-07-24T05:38:50.833Z","block":"1500-1599 SWAIN ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1500-1599-swain-st","address":"1523 SWAIN ST","parcelNumber":"152183700","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=152183700","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O50","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW 3 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"WEST DONOVAN S","coOwner":null,"marketValue":378000,"landAssessment":75600,"improvementAssessment":302400,"livableArea":1552,"yearBuilt":1920,"lastSale":{"price":287500,"date":"2020-01-10T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-053902","date":"2024-06-29","code":"A-402.5","title":"OCCUPIED W/O FINAL APPROVAL","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2024-069040","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"BUILDING COURTS","status":"IN VIOLATION - COURT","createdDate":"2024-06-29","completedDate":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-053902","date":"2024-06-29","code":"A-402.5","title":"OCCUPIED W/O FINAL APPROVAL","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2024,"n":1,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-069040","date":"2024-06-29","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-069040","date":"2024-08-05","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-069040","date":"2024-09-24","type":null,"status":"FAILED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2024,"fails":3,"passes":0}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.96782270443537,"lng":-75.16271168070453,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.162757551,39.967743556],[-75.162723074,39.967908394],[-75.162665471,39.96790097],[-75.16270092,39.967736476],[-75.162757551,39.967743556]]]},"liDistrict":"NORTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19130","beds":5,"baths":1,"stories":3,"lotArea":976,"zoning":"RM1","grade":"C+","basement":"D","heater":"H","centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"1523 SWAIN ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19130","mailOut":false,"appeals":[{"type":"ZBA Permit Denial - Variance","grounds":"PERMIT For partial demolition, and erection of additions (including a deck accessed from the rear second floor and a roof deck above the third story accessed from a pilot house enclosing access stairs only), to an existing attached structur","status":"Completed","outcome":"Granted","date":"2021-07-09","number":"ZP-2021-000738","relatedPermit":"ZP-2021-000738"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":3,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":212000,"taxable":212000,"land":38556,"improvement":173444,"taxableLand":38556,"taxableImprovement":173444,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":212000,"taxable":212000,"land":58512,"improvement":153488,"taxableLand":58512,"taxableImprovement":153488,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":212000,"taxable":212000,"land":58512,"improvement":153488,"taxableLand":58512,"taxableImprovement":153488,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":220900,"taxable":220900,"land":60900,"improvement":160000,"taxableLand":60900,"taxableImprovement":160000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":228200,"taxable":228200,"land":62913,"improvement":165287,"taxableLand":62913,"taxableImprovement":165287,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":228200,"taxable":228200,"land":62913,"improvement":165287,"taxableLand":62913,"taxableImprovement":165287,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":228200,"taxable":228200,"land":62913,"improvement":165287,"taxableLand":62913,"taxableImprovement":165287,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":319600,"taxable":319600,"land":63920,"improvement":255680,"taxableLand":63920,"taxableImprovement":255680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":319600,"taxable":319600,"land":63920,"improvement":255680,"taxableLand":63920,"taxableImprovement":255680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":378000,"taxable":378000,"land":75600,"improvement":302400,"taxableLand":75600,"taxableImprovement":302400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":378000,"taxable":378000,"land":75600,"improvement":302400,"taxableLand":75600,"taxableImprovement":302400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":378000,"taxable":378000,"land":75600,"improvement":302400,"taxableLand":75600,"taxableImprovement":302400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5291,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"1047873","date":"2020-02-07","work":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo.","type":"General Permit Minor","description":"General Permit Minor","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2021-05-18","scope":"EZ INTERIOR DEMOLITION- For the interior demolition on non-bearing partition wall and ceilings as per attached standard. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. STRUCTURAL ALTERATION OR REPAIR IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED UNDER THIS PERMIT. PROHIBITED STRUCTURAL WORK INCLUDES ANY MODIFICATION TO EXTERIOR WALLS, PARTY WALLS, FLOOR/ROOF FRAMING OR FOUNDATIONS; INCLUDING UNDERPINNING, EXCAVATION, AND REMOVAL OF FOUNDATION SLAB. NO WORK MAY BE PEFORMED IN THE BASEMENT OR CELLAR)"},{"number":"GM-2021-000656","date":"2021-01-29","work":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo.","type":"General Permit Minor","description":"General Permit Minor","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-03-11","scope":"EZ INTERIOR DEMOLITION- For the interior demolition on non-bearing partition wall and ceilings as per attached standard. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans."},{"number":"ZP-2021-000738","date":"2021-06-09","work":"New construction, addition, GFA change","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2026-03-10","scope":"For partial demolition, and erection of additions (including a deck accessed from the rear second floor and a roof deck above the third story accessed from a pilot house enclosing access stairs only), to an existing attached structure, size and location as shown on plan/application."},{"number":"CP-2021-006467","date":"2022-02-01","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Building","description":"Commercial Building Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2024-06-29","scope":"FOR THE CONSTRUCTIO OF A REAR THREE-STORY ADDITION, A PILOTHOUSE TO ACCESS ROOF DECK, REAR DECK AND ALTERATIONS THROUGHOUT TO CREATE THREE (3) DWELLING UNITS, AS PER APPROVED PLANS. **REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS REQUIRED PRIOR TO START OF WORK**"},{"number":"EP-2023-008472","date":"2023-09-27","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2024-06-29","scope":"INSTALL A 300 AMP SERVICE, (4) GANG METER BANK, (4) 100 AMP PANELS & FEEDERS. INSTALL WIRING THROUGHOUT THE COMMON AREAS & THREE DWELLING UNITS. INSTALL LIGHS NORMAL & EMERGENCY, SWITCHES, SENSORS, RECEPTACLES, SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS. PROVIDE POWER FOR THE MECHANICAL & HVAC EQUIPMENT. INSTALL A NEW FIRE ALARM SYSTEM THROUGHOUT. ALL WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 2017 NEC."}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":3.05,"timeline":[{"y":2004,"k":"sale","p":71000},{"y":2005,"k":"sale","p":219500},{"y":2020,"k":"sale","p":287500},{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo."},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo."},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New construction, addition, GFA change"},{"y":2021,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2024,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2024,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×3"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"527135","type":"Rental","status":"Inactive","businessName":"HENRY RUDICK","legalName":"HENRY RUDICK","address":"1523 SWAIN ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":1,"issuedDate":"2011-03-09","latestIssueDate":"2019-03-28","expirationDate":"2020-02-29","inactiveDate":"2020-04-29"}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"527135","type":"Rental","businessName":"HENRY RUDICK","legalName":"HENRY RUDICK","issuedDate":"2011-03-09","latestIssueDate":"2019-03-28","closureDate":"2020-04-29","expirationDate":"2020-02-29","inactiveDate":"2020-04-29","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-23","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #ZP-2021-000738: Completed · Granted; related permit ZP-2021-000738. The history also contains “OCCUPIED W/O FINAL APPROVAL.”","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":"4 permits not marked completed: 1047873 (Expired), ZP-2021-000738 (Expired), CP-2021-006467 (Expired), EP-2023-008472 (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":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"3 failed, 0 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was FAILED on Sep 24, 2024.","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":"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"}]}