{"asOf":"2026-07-22T23:40:20.956Z","block":"5500-5599 GERMANTOWN AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/5500-5599-germantown-ave","address":"5521-29 GERMANTOWN AVE","parcelNumber":"883377120","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=883377120","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"offices","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":true,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"DE0","buildingCodeNew":"251","buildingClass":"OFF BLD N/COM W/PKG MASON","buildingClassNew":"SOCIAL/FRATERNAL HALL","useLabel":"Offices","owner":"PHILADELPHIA ALUMNI","coOwner":"CHAPTER","marketValue":709100,"landAssessment":141800,"improvementAssessment":567300,"livableArea":6250,"yearBuilt":1969,"lastSale":{"price":200000,"date":"1995-07-14T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"4958939","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101113","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MAINTENANCE","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4958938","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101111","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MATERIALS/STRENGTH","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4958940","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101115","title":"FIRE ESCAPE REPORT","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"211959778","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101115","title":"FIRE ESCAPE REPORT","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"},{"number":"211959779","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101111","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MATERIALS/STRENGTH","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"},{"number":"211959777","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101113","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MAINTENANCE","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"},{"number":"VI-2021-017544","date":"2021-03-30","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-07","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR"},{"number":"VI-2021-017545","date":"2021-03-30","code":"PM15-304.1(H)","title":"ROOF DEFICIENCIES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-07","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR"}],"violationCases":[{"number":"610871","type":"STANDARD","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"CI","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2017-11-03","completedDate":"2019-03-06","violations":[{"number":"4958939","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101113","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MAINTENANCE","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4958938","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101111","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MATERIALS/STRENGTH","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4958940","date":"2017-11-03","code":"FC-13-101115","title":"FIRE ESCAPE REPORT","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]},{"number":"675373","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2019-03-06","completedDate":"2025-05-16","violations":[{"number":"211959778","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101115","title":"FIRE ESCAPE REPORT","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"},{"number":"211959779","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101111","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MATERIALS/STRENGTH","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"},{"number":"211959777","date":"2019-03-25","code":"FC-13-101113","title":"FIRE ESCAPE MAINTENANCE","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":"CLOSED - ADMINISTRATIVELY"}]},{"number":"CF-2021-023011","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"UNSAFE","responsibility":"CSU INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2021-03-30","completedDate":"2021-12-07","violations":[{"number":"VI-2021-017544","date":"2021-03-30","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-07","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR"},{"number":"VI-2021-017545","date":"2021-03-30","code":"PM15-304.1(H)","title":"ROOF DEFICIENCIES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-07","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR"}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2017,"n":3,"worst":null},{"y":2019,"n":3,"worst":null},{"y":2021,"n":2,"worst":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE"}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"610871","date":"2017-11-03","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"610871","date":"2017-12-11","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"610871","date":"2018-01-16","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"610871","date":"2019-02-23","type":"PRECOURT","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"610871","date":"2019-03-06","type":"PRECOURT","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"675373","date":"2019-03-25","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-023011","date":"2021-03-30","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-023011","date":"2021-07-19","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-023011","date":"2021-12-07","type":null,"status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2017,"fails":2,"passes":0},{"y":2019,"fails":2,"passes":0},{"y":2021,"fails":2,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":40.03468303172149,"lng":-75.17270177719111,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.172660755,40.03490674],[-75.172442297,40.034774943],[-75.17251312,40.034696965],[-75.172547103,40.034616081],[-75.172708062,40.034455707],[-75.172976773,40.034612149],[-75.172672873,40.034914024],[-75.172660755,40.03490674]]]},"liDistrict":"NORTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19144","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":3,"lotArea":12447,"zoning":"CMX2.5","grade":"B","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"5521-29 GERMANTOWN AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19144","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[{"year":2016,"total":8974.07,"principal":7335.07,"interest":110.02,"penalty":73.35}],"taxNet":8974.07,"taxLien":true,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":0,"abated":true,"assessmentExemption":true,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":478200,"taxable":239100,"land":124500,"improvement":353700,"taxableLand":62250,"taxableImprovement":176850,"exemptLand":62250,"exemptImprovement":176850},{"y":2017,"v":478200,"taxable":239100,"land":124500,"improvement":353700,"taxableLand":62250,"taxableImprovement":176850,"exemptLand":62250,"exemptImprovement":176850},{"y":2018,"v":660800,"taxable":330400,"land":132160,"improvement":528640,"taxableLand":66080,"taxableImprovement":264320,"exemptLand":66080,"exemptImprovement":264320},{"y":2019,"v":680600,"taxable":340300,"land":136120,"improvement":544480,"taxableLand":68060,"taxableImprovement":272240,"exemptLand":68060,"exemptImprovement":272240},{"y":2020,"v":690800,"taxable":345400,"land":138160,"improvement":552640,"taxableLand":69080,"taxableImprovement":276320,"exemptLand":69080,"exemptImprovement":276320},{"y":2021,"v":690800,"taxable":345400,"land":138160,"improvement":552640,"taxableLand":69080,"taxableImprovement":276320,"exemptLand":69080,"exemptImprovement":276320},{"y":2022,"v":690800,"taxable":345400,"land":138160,"improvement":552640,"taxableLand":69080,"taxableImprovement":276320,"exemptLand":69080,"exemptImprovement":276320},{"y":2023,"v":755900,"taxable":377950,"land":151180,"improvement":604720,"taxableLand":75590,"taxableImprovement":302360,"exemptLand":75590,"exemptImprovement":302360},{"y":2024,"v":755900,"taxable":377950,"land":151180,"improvement":604720,"taxableLand":75590,"taxableImprovement":302360,"exemptLand":75590,"exemptImprovement":302360},{"y":2025,"v":707500,"taxable":353750,"land":141500,"improvement":566000,"taxableLand":70750,"taxableImprovement":283000,"exemptLand":70750,"exemptImprovement":283000},{"y":2026,"v":707500,"taxable":353750,"land":141500,"improvement":566000,"taxableLand":70750,"taxableImprovement":283000,"exemptLand":70750,"exemptImprovement":283000},{"y":2027,"v":709100,"taxable":354550,"land":141800,"improvement":567300,"taxableLand":70900,"taxableImprovement":283650,"exemptLand":70900,"exemptImprovement":283650}],"taxNow":4952,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"PP-2023-006573","date":"2023-05-17","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-05-30","scope":"INSTALL 3/4\" BACKFLOW DEVICE"}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2017,"k":"viol","w":"3 L&I violations"},{"y":2017,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×2"},{"y":2019,"k":"viol","w":"3 L&I violations"},{"y":2019,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×2"},{"y":2021,"k":"viol","w":"2 L&I violations incl UNSAFE STRUCTURE"},{"y":2021,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 2 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-21","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."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"violations","level":"attention","title":"An unsafe-building history still deserves the repair file","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 8 historical violations across 3 cases.","why":"The aggregate currently shows zero open violations, so a historical unsafe/imminently-dangerous row is not a current hazard finding. The repair or demolition permit, final inspection, and case closure are the evidence that resolves the former designation.","action":"Review the Make Safe/repair permit, final inspection, and case closure.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"6 failed, 1 passed, and 2 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Dec 7, 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":"abatement","level":"verify","title":"A reduced taxable assessment is not a verified abatement","finding":"OPA’s numeric assessment fields show a reduced taxable assessment; BlockReport has no official program determination for this parcel.","why":"The numeric treatment can reflect an improvement abatement or another exemption. It does not identify the ordinance, approval, start or end date, or continuation requirements after a transfer. Once OPA verifies a specific active abatement, many common programs attach the benefit to the property for the remaining term rather than ending automatically at sale, but some require a new-owner filing and continued qualifying use or tax compliance.","action":"Obtain the OPA exemption/abatement determination and history, then underwrite the buyer’s bill from the verified program terms.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/get-a-property-tax-abatement/"}],"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/"}]}