{"asOf":"2026-07-24T02:09:55.999Z","block":"500-599 W BERKS ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/500-599-w-berks-st","address":"531 W BERKS ST","parcelNumber":"183189100","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=183189100","ownerType":"vacant","kind":"vacant land","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":false,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"SR","buildingCodeNew":null,"buildingClass":"VACANT LAND RESIDE < ACRE","buildingClassNew":null,"useLabel":"Vacant lot","owner":"531 W BERKS ST RENTALS LLC","coOwner":null,"marketValue":127400,"landAssessment":127400,"improvementAssessment":0,"livableArea":null,"yearBuilt":null,"lastSale":{"price":135000,"date":"2020-10-13T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2021-015808","date":"2021-03-23","code":"A-504.1","title":"STOP WORK ORDER","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-06-09","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2021-020452","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"BUILDING INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2021-03-23","completedDate":"2021-06-09","violations":[{"number":"VI-2021-015808","date":"2021-03-23","code":"A-504.1","title":"STOP WORK ORDER","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-06-09","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2021,"n":1,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-020452","date":"2021-03-23","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-020452","date":"2021-04-27","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-020452","date":"2021-06-09","type":null,"status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2021,"fails":2,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.98025087492886,"lng":-75.14421479135378,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.144215223,39.980127096],[-75.14426674,39.98013375],[-75.144214668,39.980368892],[-75.144162671,39.980378491],[-75.144215223,39.980127096]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL EAST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19122","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":null,"lotArea":1302,"zoning":"RM1","grade":null,"basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":null,"intCond":null,"garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"531 W BERKS ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19122","mailOut":false,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH TWO (2) ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURES FOR USE AS TWO FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING\nWITH ROOF DECK ABOVE THIRD FLOOR LEVEL(LOCATED IN FRONT AND REAR ACCESSED BY SEPARATE PILOT HOUSES) (SIZE AND LOCATI","status":"OPEN","outcome":"Granted","date":"2019-06-05","number":"36752","relatedPermit":"933478"}],"taxYears":[{"year":1989,"total":1079.29,"principal":234.9,"interest":517.95,"penalty":16.44},{"year":1990,"total":956.08,"principal":248.91,"interest":533.91,"penalty":17.42},{"year":1991,"total":985.45,"principal":261.53,"interest":545.29,"penalty":18.31},{"year":1992,"total":978.74,"principal":261.53,"interest":529.6,"penalty":18.31},{"year":1993,"total":785.97,"principal":212.88,"interest":418.3,"penalty":14.9},{"year":1994,"total":770.94,"principal":212.89,"interest":405.55,"penalty":14.9},{"year":1995,"total":693.06,"principal":194.63,"interest":359.09,"penalty":13.62},{"year":1996,"total":679.31,"principal":194.64,"interest":347.43,"penalty":13.62},{"year":1997,"total":665.53,"principal":194.64,"interest":335.75,"penalty":13.62},{"year":1998,"total":644.87,"principal":194.64,"interest":318.24,"penalty":13.62},{"year":1999,"total":624.2,"principal":194.64,"interest":300.72,"penalty":13.62},{"year":2000,"total":603.52,"principal":194.64,"interest":283.2,"penalty":13.62},{"year":2001,"total":582.85,"principal":194.64,"interest":265.68,"penalty":13.62},{"year":2002,"total":149.82,"principal":45.62,"interest":58.16,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2003,"total":144.99,"principal":45.62,"interest":54.06,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2004,"total":140.14,"principal":45.62,"interest":49.95,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2005,"total":135.3,"principal":45.62,"interest":45.85,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2006,"total":130.45,"principal":45.62,"interest":41.74,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2007,"total":125.6,"principal":45.62,"interest":37.63,"penalty":3.19},{"year":2008,"total":127.24,"principal":48.66,"interest":35.76,"penalty":3.41},{"year":2009,"total":122.07,"principal":48.66,"interest":31.38,"penalty":3.41},{"year":2010,"total":116.9,"principal":48.66,"interest":27,"penalty":3.41},{"year":2011,"total":120.47,"principal":53.48,"interest":24.87,"penalty":3.74},{"year":2012,"total":118.3,"principal":55.53,"interest":20.83,"penalty":3.89},{"year":2013,"total":115.58,"principal":57.53,"interest":16.39,"penalty":4.03},{"year":2014,"total":277.13,"principal":117.12,"interest":22.84,"penalty":8.2},{"year":2015,"total":264.7,"principal":117.12,"interest":12.3,"penalty":8.2},{"year":2016,"total":224.83,"principal":122.34,"interest":1.84,"penalty":1.22}],"taxNet":12363.33,"taxLien":true,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":3,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":7600,"taxable":7600,"land":7600,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":7600,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":19800,"taxable":19800,"land":19800,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":19800,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":126300,"taxable":126300,"land":126300,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":126300,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":126300,"taxable":126300,"land":126300,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":126300,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":149900,"taxable":149900,"land":149900,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":149900,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":149900,"taxable":149900,"land":149900,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":149900,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":127400,"taxable":127400,"land":127400,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":127400,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":2098,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"933478","date":"2019-07-09","work":"Zoning/use","type":"ZP_ZON/USE","description":"ZONING/USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-07-09","scope":"PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH TWO (2) ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURES FOR USE AS TWO FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING WITH ROOF DECK ABOVE THIRD FLOOR LEVEL (LOCATED IN FRONT AND REAR ACCESSED BY SEPARATE PILOT HOUSES) (SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLANS)"},{"number":"999834","date":"2019-09-26","work":"New Construction","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2020-06-03","scope":"FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE (3) STORY TWO (2) FAMILY STRUCTURE WITH ROOF DECK ABOVE THIRD FLOOR LEVEL (LOCATED IN FRONT AND REAR ACCESSED BY SEPARATE PILOT HOUSES) AS PER PLANS. ** AMEND TO INCLUDE THE PLACMENT OF UNDERPINNING **"},{"number":"FP-2020-002306","date":"2021-01-14","work":"New Construction","type":"Fire Suppression","description":"Fire Suppression Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-06-27","scope":"INSTALLATION OF TWO AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPESSION SYSTEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 13D IN TWO BUILINGS ON LOT (UNIT ONE AND UNIT TWO TO EACH HAVE A DEDIDCATED SYSTEM) TO INCLUDE TWO 1-INCH COMBINED LINES AS PER APPROVED PLAN."},{"number":"PP-2021-001152","date":"2021-01-21","work":"New Construction or Additions","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-03-11","scope":"New HD, HT, FAI 1\" WDP"},{"number":"PP-2021-006508","date":"2021-04-21","work":"New Construction or Additions","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-06-27","scope":"Run new water and drain for 4 bathrooms 2 kitchen 2 laundry 2 water heaters"},{"number":"EP-2021-005923","date":"2021-08-24","work":"New Construction","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-01-11","scope":"Wiring throughout the tw0(2) family building, installing lights, Receptacles, Switches, 110v interconnected Smoke alarms, Tv Cable each Room. Installing 300 amp Service .ALL WORK as per APPROVED DRAWINGS-2014 NEC."},{"number":"MP-2021-005614","date":"2021-09-22","work":"New Construction","type":"Mechanical","description":"Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-06-29","scope":"EZ PERMIT DUCTWORK & WARM-AIR APPLIANCES - For the installation of New Ductwork, Registers/Grilles/Diffusers, and Warm-Air Appliances as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. EACH HVAC UNIT TO BE SELF-CONTAINED WITHIN EACH DWELLING UNIT. NO PENETRATIONS OF RATED ASSEMBLIES. (Ductwork, Air handler 3 ton with 10 kw, Heat Pump 14 SEER 3 ton)."}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":134,"timeline":[{"y":2018,"k":"sale","p":19906.66},{"y":2019,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Zoning/use"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2020,"k":"sale","p":135000},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction or Additions"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction or Additions"},{"y":2021,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2021,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 2 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"}],"rented":true,"licenses":[{"number":"909718","type":"Rental","status":"Active","businessName":"531 W Berks St Rentals LLC","legalName":"531 W Berks St Rentals LLC","address":"531 W BERKS ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":2,"issuedDate":"2022-11-01","latestIssueDate":"2025-11-04","expirationDate":"2026-10-31","inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"909718","type":"Rental","businessName":"531 W Berks St Rentals LLC","legalName":"531 W Berks St Rentals LLC","issuedDate":"2022-11-01","latestIssueDate":"2025-11-04","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":"2026-10-31","inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-23","units":2,"signals":[{"kind":"record-pressure","level":"elevated","title":"Records to verify together","summary":"More than one separately dated public record deserves a current-status check.","evidence":["a lien number appears in the historical tax ledger through 2016","failed L&I inspection activity in 2021"],"caveat":"A screening signal, not a foreclosure prediction. Tax entries are historical and must be verified with Philadelphia Revenue."},{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 538% in 2023, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $19,800 to $126,300","no permit shown in 2022-2024"],"caveat":"Not proof of unpermitted work; reassessment, corrected data, or a permit under another parcel can also explain it."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #36752: OPEN · Granted; related permit 933478. Use permit #933478: 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":"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":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"2 failed, 1 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Jun 9, 2021.","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":"building-certifications","level":"verify","title":"A fire-system permit exists, but no annual certification matched","finding":"2 fire/suppression-related permits matched; the fetched BIN certification feed returned no row.","why":"Installed systems in mixed-use and larger buildings generally require periodic certification, but applicability and limited-area exceptions vary. A missing BIN/address join is not proof of a compliance failure.","action":"Confirm what system was installed and whether a current annual certificate is required and filed.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/maintenance-certifications/fire-protection-certifications/"},{"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/"}]}