{"asOf":"2026-07-28T11:32:22.605Z","block":"2100-2199 S 20TH ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/2100-2199-s-20th-st","address":"2144 S 20TH ST","parcelNumber":"481329100","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=481329100","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"multi-family","isHouse":false,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O30","buildingCodeNew":"24","buildingClass":"ROW 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW PORCH FRONT","useLabel":"Multi-family","owner":"BROWN CHRISTOPHER","coOwner":null,"marketValue":495900,"landAssessment":99180,"improvementAssessment":396720,"livableArea":1500,"yearBuilt":1920,"lastSale":{"price":410750,"date":"2023-04-12T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"2412007","date":"2012-02-15","code":"PM-304.1/1","title":"EXT S-EXTERIOR REPAIR/MAINTAIN","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"316228","type":"STANDARD","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"HCEU","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2012-02-15","completedDate":"2012-06-06","violations":[{"number":"2412007","date":"2012-02-15","code":"PM-304.1/1","title":"EXT S-EXTERIOR REPAIR/MAINTAIN","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2012,"n":1,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"316228","date":"2012-02-15","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"316228","date":"2012-04-16","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"316228","date":"2012-06-06","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2012,"fails":1,"passes":2}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.92459358314136,"lng":-75.1797028964666,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.179576644,39.924555354],[-75.179838829,39.924590939],[-75.179830048,39.92463159],[-75.179567464,39.924596624],[-75.179576644,39.924555354]]]},"liDistrict":"SOUTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19145","beds":4,"baths":2,"stories":2,"lotArea":1156,"zoning":"RM1","grade":"C","basement":"C","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"2","intCond":"2","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"2144 S 20TH ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19145","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":4,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":97800,"taxable":97800,"land":14562,"improvement":83238,"taxableLand":14562,"taxableImprovement":83238,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":97800,"taxable":97800,"land":16137,"improvement":81663,"taxableLand":16137,"taxableImprovement":81663,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":97800,"taxable":97800,"land":16137,"improvement":81663,"taxableLand":16137,"taxableImprovement":81663,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":107400,"taxable":107400,"land":17721,"improvement":89679,"taxableLand":17721,"taxableImprovement":89679,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":115500,"taxable":115500,"land":19058,"improvement":96442,"taxableLand":19058,"taxableImprovement":96442,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":115500,"taxable":115500,"land":19058,"improvement":96442,"taxableLand":19058,"taxableImprovement":96442,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":115500,"taxable":115500,"land":19058,"improvement":96442,"taxableLand":19058,"taxableImprovement":96442,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":173800,"taxable":173800,"land":34760,"improvement":139040,"taxableLand":34760,"taxableImprovement":139040,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":173800,"taxable":173800,"land":34760,"improvement":139040,"taxableLand":34760,"taxableImprovement":139040,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":411400,"taxable":411400,"land":82280,"improvement":329120,"taxableLand":82280,"taxableImprovement":329120,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":411400,"taxable":411400,"land":82280,"improvement":329120,"taxableLand":82280,"taxableImprovement":329120,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":495900,"taxable":495900,"land":99180,"improvement":396720,"taxableLand":99180,"taxableImprovement":396720,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5759,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"RP-2022-006462","date":"2022-06-30","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-04-10","scope":"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 IS 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. PER ENGINEER LETTER: Based on our observation and on my professional engineering experience, we are in agreement that no structural alterations are necessary and none are planned, no work is going to be done in the basement. 1. Remove plasters from all interior walls, ceiling and insulate (R19) ceiling R38. 2. Sheetrock and/or panel-board First floor, Second floor. 3. Install hardwood floors and carpets on stairs, hallways, living, dining and bed rooms. 4. Paint all walls and ceiling throughout the house. 5. Install new cabinets in kitchen and baths. 6. Replace bath tubs and tiles from 1st floor. 7. Install ceramic tiles in kitchen and baths. 8. Install new appliances and plumbing fixtures in kitchen and bathrooms. 9. Replace electrical wiring and mechanical piping to comply with code requirements. 10. Install and upgraded indoor and exterior lighting. 11. Replace all doors and windows 12. Clean, repair/or paint exterior walls. 13. Facilitate and/or conduct all required inspections and testing. 14. Remove and environmentally dispose of all garbage and unused building materials."},{"number":"EP-2022-007094","date":"2022-08-05","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-03-09","scope":"Rewire 200 AMP with service. Install switches, light fixtures, and outlets also, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as per 2014 nec"},{"number":"PP-2022-012371","date":"2022-08-24","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-04-10","scope":"2-WC 2-LAV 2-TUB/SHOWER 2-LT 2-KS 2-HWH Permit is for renovation of single family to two family."},{"number":"ZP-2022-012257","date":"2022-11-07","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Residential - Household Living - Two-Family"},{"number":"ZP-2022-013167","date":"2022-12-12","work":"New construction, addition, GFA change","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Enclosed existing porch on the first floor. Size and Location as per approved plan."},{"number":"RP-2022-012207","date":"2023-01-12","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-04-12","scope":"Remove the front exterior wall transfer load of second floor bay, to the existing header and existing carbon steel beam. Install new window lintels, install new fire walls between porches and floors. Install pressure treated frames in all window openings. Replace all fire damaged second floor joists. Repair floor framing and ceiling joists per drawings. Reset all loose bricks. Rebuild front porch foundation wall per drawings. TW-O FAMILY DWELLING WITH EMERGENCY EFRESS WINDOW REQUIRED FOR BEDROOMS . NO WORK PROPOSED IN THE BASEMENT. NO UNDERPINNING OR EXCAVATIONS PROPOSED OR APPRVOED ON THIS PERMIT."},{"number":"MP-2022-005104","date":"2023-01-18","work":"Addition and/or Alterations","type":"Mechanical","description":"Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-04-10","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. (1st Floor will get full ductwork installation. Electrical heat pump system with a 2.5 ton Condenser. 2nd floor will get a 4 zone Ductless AC system)."}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":6.47,"timeline":[{"y":2004,"k":"sale","p":110000},{"y":2012,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2012,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 1 failed, 2 passed"},{"y":2022,"k":"sale","p":200000},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"New construction, addition, GFA change"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alterations"},{"y":2023,"k":"sale","p":410750}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-27","signals":[{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"watch","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 2 permit events matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2023","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 137% in 2025, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $173,800 to $411,400","no permit shown in 2024-2026"],"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":"The record identifies more than one dwelling/use.","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-status","level":"verify","title":"Residential form does not establish rental use","finding":"OPA classifies the parcel as multi-family; no active Rental License row matched.","why":"A multi-unit or mixed-use classification does not prove that space is currently rented. If dwelling space is rented, Philadelphia generally requires a current Rental License and related occupancy, tax, violation, and lead compliance.","action":"Confirm actual occupancy first; if any unit is rented, verify the license and legal unit count with L&I.","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":"1 failed, 2 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Jun 6, 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":"building-certifications","level":"verify","title":"A fire-system permit exists, but no annual certification matched","finding":"1 fire/suppression-related permit 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":"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"}]}