{"asOf":"2026-07-23T15:54:47.771Z","block":"3900-3999 MELON ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/3900-3999-melon-st","address":"3948 MELON ST","parcelNumber":"242222500","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=242222500","ownerType":"absentee","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O30","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"ZHENG DESHUI","coOwner":null,"marketValue":271700,"landAssessment":54340,"improvementAssessment":217360,"livableArea":1170,"yearBuilt":1925,"lastSale":{"price":68000,"date":"2022-12-23T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"746791","date":"2007-11-26","code":"A-503.2/2","title":"PROSEC- STD INFO","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746794","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-306.2/1","title":"VACANT BLDG UNSECURED COUNT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746793","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-306.0/1","title":"VACANT PROP STANDARD","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746792","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-102.4/2","title":"LICENSE-VAC RES BLDG","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"136005","type":"STANDARD","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"HCEU","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2007-11-27","completedDate":"2012-04-09","violations":[{"number":"746791","date":"2007-11-26","code":"A-503.2/2","title":"PROSEC- STD INFO","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746794","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-306.2/1","title":"VACANT BLDG UNSECURED COUNT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746793","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-306.0/1","title":"VACANT PROP STANDARD","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"746792","date":"2007-11-26","code":"PM-102.4/2","title":"LICENSE-VAC RES BLDG","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2007,"n":4,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"136005","date":"2007-11-26","type":"BRU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"136005","date":"2012-04-05","type":"BRU INSP","status":"CLOSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2007,"fails":1,"passes":0}],"taxOwed":28122.1,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":true,"totalDue":28122.1,"principalDue":17113.68,"penaltyDue":1179.18,"interestDue":6548.95,"otherChargesDue":3280.29,"yearsOwed":15,"oldestYearOwed":2006,"mostRecentYearOwed":2021,"mostRecentPaymentDate":"2022-02-07","assessmentYear":2022,"totalAssessment":160200,"taxableAssessment":160200,"exemptAbatementAssessment":0,"homesteadValue":0,"netTaxAfterHomestead":2242.48,"actionableAtSnapshot":true,"paymentAgreementAtSnapshot":false,"bankruptcyAtSnapshot":false,"assessmentUnderAppealAtSnapshot":false,"yearMonth":"202206"},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.964531269254124,"lng":-75.20181461191864,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.201804486,39.964627988],[-75.201773082,39.964426923],[-75.201821644,39.96442186],[-75.201856956,39.964633748],[-75.201804486,39.964627988]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL WEST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19104","beds":3,"baths":1,"stories":2,"lotArea":1193,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"C","basement":"D","heater":"A","centralAir":false,"extCond":"4","intCond":"2","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"200 LEWIS AVE, LANSDOWNE PA, 19050","mailOut":true,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[{"year":2006,"total":1126.65,"principal":72.56,"interest":127.13,"penalty":12.08},{"year":2008,"total":381.95,"principal":188.55,"interest":138.58,"penalty":13.2},{"year":2009,"total":363.96,"principal":188.55,"interest":121.61,"penalty":13.2},{"year":2010,"total":345.97,"principal":188.55,"interest":104.64,"penalty":13.2},{"year":2011,"total":358.36,"principal":207.22,"interest":96.35,"penalty":14.51},{"year":2012,"total":350.82,"principal":215.2,"interest":80.7,"penalty":15.06},{"year":2013,"total":341.42,"principal":222.94,"interest":63.54,"penalty":15.61},{"year":2014,"total":2257.42,"principal":1614.97,"interest":314.92,"penalty":113.05},{"year":2015,"total":2103.35,"principal":1614.97,"interest":169.57,"penalty":113.05},{"year":2016,"total":1924.86,"principal":1687.04,"interest":25.3,"penalty":16.87}],"taxNet":9554.76,"taxLien":true,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":104800,"taxable":104800,"land":8944,"improvement":95856,"taxableLand":8944,"taxableImprovement":95856,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":104800,"taxable":104800,"land":15720,"improvement":89080,"taxableLand":15720,"taxableImprovement":89080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":104800,"taxable":104800,"land":15720,"improvement":89080,"taxableLand":15720,"taxableImprovement":89080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":154200,"taxable":154200,"land":23130,"improvement":131070,"taxableLand":23130,"taxableImprovement":131070,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":160200,"taxable":160200,"land":24030,"improvement":136170,"taxableLand":24030,"taxableImprovement":136170,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":160200,"taxable":160200,"land":24030,"improvement":136170,"taxableLand":24030,"taxableImprovement":136170,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":160200,"taxable":160200,"land":24030,"improvement":136170,"taxableLand":24030,"taxableImprovement":136170,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":70000,"taxable":70000,"land":14000,"improvement":56000,"taxableLand":14000,"taxableImprovement":56000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":70000,"taxable":70000,"land":14000,"improvement":56000,"taxableLand":14000,"taxableImprovement":56000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":213400,"taxable":213400,"land":42680,"improvement":170720,"taxableLand":42680,"taxableImprovement":170720,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":213400,"taxable":213400,"land":42680,"improvement":170720,"taxableLand":42680,"taxableImprovement":170720,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":271700,"taxable":271700,"land":54340,"improvement":217360,"taxableLand":54340,"taxableImprovement":217360,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":2987,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"RP-2023-005421","date":"2023-07-10","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2024-05-23","scope":"HOMEOWNER PERFORMING WORK: ANY LICENSED SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED OT BE ADDED TO THIS PERMIT EZ PERMIT STANDARDS ALTERATIONS For alterations to an existing one family dwelling as per attached standard. Deviations from this standard will result in permit revocation and require submission of construction 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, underpinning and excavations (i.e., digging in basement). Any work/alterations to the basement/cellar are expressly prohibited unless documented as an existing habitable space with heights and means of egress per conditions of the EZ standard. separate permits required for mechanical, electric and plumbing, etc. *No basement alterations of any kind were proposed or approved for this permit* *No structural alterations of any kind were proposed or approved for this permit* 1st floor: Complete renovation of the kitchen, including fix the ceiling, new cabinets, and new floor. Install new floor. Replace front and back door, replace all 4 windows at the same locations and same size. Stairs, add a new sub floor for the stairs. 2nd floor: replace the railing on the stairs, add a sub floor, paint wall, replace all 7 new windows same location and same size. Bathroom: Add tile on the floor. No structural changes on all floors. No renovation on the basemen"}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2007,"k":"viol","w":"4 L&I violations"},{"y":2007,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2022,"k":"sale","p":68000},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"}],"rented":true,"licenses":[{"number":"0975240","type":"Rental","status":"Active","businessName":"Deshui Zheng","legalName":"Deshui Zheng","address":"3948 MELON ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":1,"issuedDate":"2025-04-02","latestIssueDate":"2026-02-16","expirationDate":"2027-04-01","inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"0975240","type":"Rental","businessName":"Deshui Zheng","legalName":"Deshui Zheng","issuedDate":"2025-04-02","latestIssueDate":"2026-02-16","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":"2027-04-01","inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-23","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":["$28,122 appeared in the City's June 2022 delinquency snapshot","a lien number appears in the historical tax ledger through 2016"],"caveat":"A screening signal, not a foreclosure prediction. Tax entries are historical and must be verified with Philadelphia Revenue."},{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"watch","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 1 permit event matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2022","permit activity in 2023"],"caveat":"This does not show that the property is listed or that a sale is planned."},{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 27% in 2027, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $213,400 to $271,700","no permit shown in 2026-2028"],"caveat":"Not proof of unpermitted work; reassessment, corrected data, or a permit under another parcel can also explain it."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"dated-tax-balance","level":"attention","title":"A dated tax balance needs a current payoff","finding":"$28,122.10 was recorded in the City’s 2022-06 delinquency snapshot for 2006–2021.","why":"That is historical evidence, not today’s amount due. A current exemption, payment, credit, or assistance agreement can coexist with an older snapshot row.","action":"Check period balances and request a dated Property Payoff statement for settlement.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/guides/philadelphia-tax-center/what-to-do/"},{"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 (200 LEWIS AVE, LANSDOWNE PA, 19050).","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 1925 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, 0 passed, and 1 CLOSED investigation outcome are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was CLOSED on Apr 5, 2012.","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 4 historical violations 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"}]}