{"asOf":"2026-07-27T05:01:44.265Z","block":"1200-1299 N 5TH ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1200-1299-n-5th-st","address":"1212 N 5TH ST","parcelNumber":"182271700","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=182271700","ownerType":"absentee","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O51","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW 3 STY MASONRY+OTHER","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"SHAH MARGI","coOwner":null,"marketValue":577700,"landAssessment":115540,"improvementAssessment":462160,"livableArea":2580,"yearBuilt":1915,"lastSale":{"price":1,"date":"2016-05-27T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"76946","date":"2006-08-24","type":"BC INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"76946","date":"2006-10-23","type":"BC INSP","status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2006,"fails":1,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.97069354349986,"lng":-75.14519383301628,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.145364983,39.970733328],[-75.145014952,39.970693996],[-75.145025572,39.970649794],[-75.145384068,39.970698925],[-75.145364983,39.970733328]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL EAST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19122","beds":5,"baths":4,"stories":3,"lotArea":1510,"zoning":"RM1","grade":"C","basement":"A","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"3","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"131 VALLEY RD, ARDMORE PA, 19003","mailOut":true,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT TO CONVERT USE FROM MIXED USE TO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ONLY AND FOR THE ERECTION OF A ROOF DECK ACCESS PILOT HOUSE AND ROOF DECK ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON SUBMITTED PLAN.","status":"CLOSED","outcome":"Granted","date":"2013-11-20","number":"21391","relatedPermit":"494544"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":161500,"taxable":161500,"land":18200,"improvement":143300,"taxableLand":18200,"taxableImprovement":143300,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":161500,"taxable":161500,"land":18200,"improvement":143300,"taxableLand":18200,"taxableImprovement":143300,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":286200,"taxable":286200,"land":57240,"improvement":228960,"taxableLand":57240,"taxableImprovement":228960,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":489900,"taxable":291220,"land":139622,"improvement":350278,"taxableLand":139622,"taxableImprovement":151598,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":198680},{"y":2021,"v":489900,"taxable":291220,"land":139622,"improvement":350278,"taxableLand":139622,"taxableImprovement":151598,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":198680},{"y":2022,"v":489900,"taxable":291220,"land":139622,"improvement":350278,"taxableLand":139622,"taxableImprovement":151598,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":198680},{"y":2023,"v":561000,"taxable":305184,"land":112200,"improvement":448800,"taxableLand":112200,"taxableImprovement":192984,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":255816},{"y":2024,"v":561000,"taxable":305184,"land":112200,"improvement":448800,"taxableLand":112200,"taxableImprovement":192984,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":255816},{"y":2025,"v":578700,"taxable":578700,"land":115740,"improvement":462960,"taxableLand":115740,"taxableImprovement":462960,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":578700,"taxable":578700,"land":115740,"improvement":462960,"taxableLand":115740,"taxableImprovement":462960,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":577700,"taxable":577700,"land":115540,"improvement":462160,"taxableLand":115540,"taxableImprovement":462160,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":8101,"familyHeld":true,"lastTransferNominal":true,"permits":[{"number":"478130","date":"2013-06-18","work":"Demolition","type":"BP_DEMO","description":"DEMOLITION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-05-03","scope":"INTERIOR DEMOLITION OF NON LOAD BEARING WALLS."},{"number":"476250","date":"2013-07-03","work":"Zoning","type":"ZP_ZONING","description":"ZONING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2013-07-03","scope":"FOR THE ERECTION OF A ROOF DECK ACCESS PILOT HOUSE AND ROOF DECK ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON SUBMITTED PLAN."},{"number":"494544","date":"2013-11-26","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2013-11-26","scope":"TO CONVERT USE FROM MIXED USE TO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND FOR THE ERECTION OF A ROOF DECK ACCESS PILOT HOUSE AND ROOF DECK ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON SUBMITTED PLAN."},{"number":"491406","date":"2013-12-17","work":"Addition","type":"BP_ADDITON","description":"ADDITION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-08-26","scope":"AN ADDITION OF A ROOF DECK ACCESSED VIA PILOT HOUSE AND THE INTERIOR RENOVATION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY BUILDING, (NEW CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY INCLUDED WITH THIS PERMIT)"},{"number":"517481","date":"2014-01-30","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-08-26","scope":"INSTALLING WATER LINES AND DRAIN LINES FOR 2 BATHROOMS AND POWDER ROOM AND 1 KITCHEN (SFD)"},{"number":"518360","date":"2014-02-05","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-12-01","scope":"INSTALL 200AMP SERVICE,COMPLETE REWIRE 50 OUTLETS,25 LIGHTS,20 SWITCHES AND 7-120V SMOKES PER 2008 NEC (SFD)"},{"number":"524729","date":"2014-03-18","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-08-26","scope":"INSTALL 1 HVAC UNIT WITH DUCTWORK(SFD)"},{"number":"572959","date":"2014-11-07","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":"2014-11-25","scope":"CT PA20143101029 (SFD)\"SELF CERTIFICATION'S ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED\",\"ALL EXCAVATIONS AND PLUMBING TRENCHES IN EXCESS OF 5 FT IN DEPTH MUST HAVE APPROVED SHORING IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION\""},{"number":"ZP-2024-001591","date":"2024-02-23","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Limited Lodging"},{"number":"PP-2024-004736","date":"2024-05-06","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2024-05-22","scope":"REPLACE 3/4\" BACKFLOW DEVICE."}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":0.17,"timeline":[{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Demolition"},{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Zoning"},{"y":2013,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted"},{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Use"},{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Addition"},{"y":2014,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2014,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2014,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2014,"k":"sale","p":428400},{"y":2014,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"}],"rented":true,"licenses":[{"number":"644541","type":"Rental","status":"Active","businessName":"MARK  SHAH MARGI C ALTER","legalName":"MARK  SHAH MARGI C ALTER","address":"1212 N 5TH ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":1,"issuedDate":"2014-10-14","latestIssueDate":"2026-04-05","expirationDate":"2027-02-28","inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"644541","type":"Rental","businessName":"MARK  SHAH MARGI C ALTER","legalName":"MARK  SHAH MARGI C ALTER","issuedDate":"2014-10-14","latestIssueDate":"2026-04-05","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":"2027-02-28","inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #21391: CLOSED · Granted; related permit 494544. Use permit #494544: 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: 572959 (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":"managing-agent","level":"verify","title":"Tax mail goes outside Philadelphia; owner residence still needs verification","finding":"OPA mails the property tax record outside Philadelphia (131 VALLEY RD, ARDMORE PA, 19003).","why":"A tax mailing destination does not establish where the owner lives. If a rental owner lives outside Philadelphia, the City requires a managing agent with a Philadelphia mailing address; the owner remains legally responsible.","action":"Verify the buyer’s residence and, if the buyer will live outside Philadelphia, identify the Philadelphia managing agent on the new license application.","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 Oct 23, 2006.","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":"deed-chain","level":"verify","title":"The latest nominal transfer is not a market sale—or a title opinion","finding":"The latest deed in the assembled record moved for nominal consideration and appears related-party/family-held.","why":"A $1 or nominal deed can be a valid family, estate, or entity transfer. It does not establish a sale price, clear title, or by itself prove a tangled title.","action":"Read the recorded deed and have the title search confirm every grantor, grantee, estate/probate step, lien, and authority to sell.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/get-a-copy-of-a-deed-or-other-recorded-document/"}],"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"}]}