2026 taxable assessment $73,200 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $184,300; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
House report
5438 Charles St
3 bd · 1 ba · 2 stories · 1,056 sqft · RSA5 · built 1925
Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $173K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $184K · sold 2×. On the 5400 block of Charles St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
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Property summary
Assessment$173,2002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $184,300
Last sale$115KRecorded 2010
Est. tax bill$1,025/year2026 OPA · Homestead-adjusted
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits0Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open25 historical across 10 cases
“Open” reflects records available then historical records keep their source dates estimates are labeled
Question or correct this record
BlockReport can explain a discrepancy, but it cannot rewrite an official City record. Use the agency that owns the underlying fact:
Property tax
The estimate, live balance, and back-tax record are different.
BlockReport can calculate the annual tax from the City’s taxable assessment. Payments, credits, interest, and a current amount due live separately in Philadelphia Tax Center.
A Tax Center balance is net of bills, payments, credits, interest, and adjustments. A credit—or an amount due—is not automatically “back taxes.”
OPA 6222840002026 OPA removes $100,000 from the taxable assessment through the owner-occupant exemption.
Historical delinquency sources No current conclusion
This parcel did not match the June 2022 delinquency snapshot. That absence does not confirm the account is current today.
For a purchase, refinance, or closing, request the City’s official Property Payoff statement in Tax Center under “More options.”
What stands out
From the public recordRecorded transfers
Record summary2 non-nominal transfers recorded: $75K in 2006 → $115K in 2010 (+53% between recorded amounts).
View supporting records →What to do with this
The record, translated into moves — what a buyer, the owner, and a landlord would each want to check next under Philadelphia's actual rules.
If you’re buying
Built 1925: lead rules apply
Federal law requires a lead-paint disclosure at sale for any pre-1978 home. If it will be rented, Philadelphia also requires a lead-safe or lead-free certificate before a rental license can issue.
Zoned RSA5: one household by right
Single-family rowhouse (the classic Philly row). Converting to a duplex or apartments needs a use variance the zoning board rarely grants — Pennsylvania courts require a physical hardship of the lot itself, and economics alone do not qualify.
Derived from the fetched property records and linked City guidance as of 2026. Assessment treatment is not a substitute for an exemption approval, live balance, title report, license, occupancy certificate, or inspection. Informational only — not legal, tax, or investment advice.
Assessment and tax history
Every fetched annual City assessment for this house, compared with its block and ZIP. The figures show assessment change, the billed-year tax estimate, dated tax records, and recorded transfers. They do not estimate market appreciation or investment return.
Assessed value
$173,200
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $184,300 · built 1925
Price / sq ft
$175
block $166 · above block
Assessment change
+87%
+6%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +6% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$1,025
0.59% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
2
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$98K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2017$98K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2018$98K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2019$104K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2020$109K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2021$109K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2022$109K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2023$129K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2024$129K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2025$173K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2026$173K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2027$184K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- Deed / sale · 2006Deed / sale $75KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- Deed / sale · 2010Deed / sale $115KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-12-23CLIP VIOLATION NOTICEA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-12-23RUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNERA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-12-23RUBBISH - APPROVED CONTAINERSA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-12-23VACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LICA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-05-14LICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTYA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-06-23HIGH WEEDS-CUTA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2009-05-28VACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LICA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2009-09-29CLIP VIOLATION NOTICEA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2009-09-29HIGH WEEDS-CUTA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2009-02-05RUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNERA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2011-04-29CLIP VIOLATION NOTICEA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2011-04-29HIGH WEEDS-CUTA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2012-05-04HIGH WEEDS-CUTA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2012-05-04CLIP VIOLATION NOTICEA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- Inspection · 2004-10-20L_CLIPA dated L&I visit or review. Its type describes the inspection program; the separate result and later rows show whether that visit passed, failed, or led to follow-up.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- License · 2008-06-06RentalA City license record tied to an activity or property use. Its issue, expiration, inactive, and status fields—not the category alone—show what was recorded for this date.Philadelphia L&I licenses and property records ↗
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19124 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationInspectionLicense
Each icon sits on its recorded date; records without a day are labeled and centered within their year. Select one to explain the filing.
Highlight
Every dated record18 events · exact dates, newest first
- L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $115K
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
- L&I violationVACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LIC
- L&I violationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- L&I violationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
- L&I violationRUBBISH - APPROVED CONTAINERS
- L&I violationVACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LIC
- L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
- LicenseRental
- L&I violationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $75K
- InspectionL_CLIP
The paper trail
Recorded transfers2 non-nominal transfers recorded: $75K in 2006 → $115K in 2010 (+53% between recorded amounts).
- 2004 Inspection failed ×3L&I visit
- 2006 $75KTransfer
- 2008 9 L&I violationsL&I
- 2009 12 L&I violationsL&I
- 2010 $115KTransfer
- 2011 2 L&I violationsL&I
- 2012 2 L&I violationsL&I
Records behind the chart
Browse the source ledger
The chart above is the primary timeline. This drawer preserves every underlying dated row and its filed status for source-level review.
Browse 34 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 326645 · Violation 2431493 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 326645 · Violation 2431492 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 274952 · Violation 2056402 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 274952 · Violation 2056403 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- Recorded transfer$115K transfer
2010
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 215963 · Violation 1478458 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 215963 · Violation 1478459 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 208938 · Violation 1411533 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 208938 · Violation 1411532 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 200827 · Violation 1343904 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 200827 · Violation 1343903 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationVACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LIC
Case 200827 · Violation 1343905 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 197784 · Violation 1316650 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 197784 · Violation 1316651 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationVACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LIC
Case 191281 · Violation 1235327 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 191281 · Violation 1235325 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
Case 191281 · Violation 1235326 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
Case 188420 · Violation 1195558 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationRUBBISH - APPROVED CONTAINERS
Case 188420 · Violation 1195559 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationVACANT BLDG KEEP CLEAN GET LIC
Case 188420 · Violation 1195557 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 188420 · Violation 1195556 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 166279 · Violation 995873 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 166279 · Violation 995872 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- LicenseRental
License 448000 · Inactive
JOSEPH & SONIA SHUBERT · Expires 2011-02-28 · Inactive 2012-12-22
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 160187 · Violation 947573 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY
Case 160187 · Violation 947574 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 160187 · Violation 947575 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- Recorded transfer$75K transfer
2006
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 33455 · CLOSED
City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 33455 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 29245 · CLOSED
City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 29245 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 26115 · CLOSED
City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 26115 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
What this record suggests
The dated deed and City-record sequence is assembled below. Read timing as a research lead, not proof of renovation, condition, or motive.
Informational only — not investment advice or a consumer report (FCRA).
The property, on paper
The city assessor's field record — the physical spec sheet behind the assessed number.
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1
Stories
2
Interior
1,056 sqft
livable area
Lot
2,090 sqft
Basement
Partial
city code H
Heat
Undetermined
city code H
Central air
No
Garage
1 space
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Interior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
ABCDE
Zoning
RSA5
city zoning code
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Run the numbers
What owning 5438 Charles St takes, at your price and your rate. Taxes start with an annual estimate from the City’s taxable assessment, not a current bill or balance; rent starts at the area median. Assessed value is not an asking price — set the price slider to the real one.
When this house last sold (2010) a 30-year mortgage ran about 4.69% — Freddie Mac's average that year.
Mortgage
—
P&I · 30-yr fixed
All-in monthly
—
+ taxes & insurance
Estimated cash needed
—
down + 4% planning allowance
Modeled cash flow
—
rent − shown costs · /mo
Modeled cap rate
—
modeled NOI ÷ price
Modeled cash-on-cash
—
modeled year-1 return
Scenario for orientation, not advice. Assumes a 30-year fixed loan, $1,400/yr insurance, 1% of price/yr maintenance, and buyer cash equal to the down payment plus 4%. Taxes use this parcel's taxable assessment, not a live Tax Center balance. Cash flow and returns exclude vacancy, management, utilities, HOA or condo fees, leasing costs, income tax, and unplanned capital work.
Block context
5438 Charles St sits on the 5400 block of Charles St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 5436 Charles St · 5440 Charles St
Where this comes from
- Assessment, spec sheet & owner — OPA Property Assessments, Office of Property Assessment
- Sales & deed history — Realty Transfer Tax records, Recorder of Deeds
- Permits, violations & inspections — L&I Property History · Atlas
- Tax delinquency snapshot · June 2022 — Real Estate Tax Delinquencies, Dept. of Revenue
- Historical tax ledger & liens · through 2016 — Real Estate Tax Balances, Dept. of Revenue
- Current property-tax balance — Verify with Philadelphia Revenue
- Zoning appeals — L&I & Zoning Board appeals
- Neighborhood income & rents — US Census ACS 5-year estimates
- Historical mortgage rates — Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, annual averages
- Imagery — Street photo © Google · Aerial © Esri, Maxar
Methodology & freshness
This report was assembled Jul 10, 2026, 9:10 AM ET. Available City datasets are queried from OpenDataPhilly (phl.carto.com) and the cited City ArcGIS feeds; record queries paginate rather than silently taking a first page. For this property: Permits: queried · Violations: queried · Investigations: queried · Appeals: queried · Licenses: queried · Building certifications: queried. “Unavailable” means the source query failed or was not supplied, not “no record.” Reports re-pull on view after seven days and on an overnight rolling schedule; citywide benchmarks recompute weekly. Source dates still govern: the parcel-level tax-delinquency snapshot is June 2022 and the separate detailed tax ledger ends in 2016, so neither establishes today’s balance. The live balance and date-effective payoff must be verified in Tax Center. AI-written passages are grounded in the assembled record and rejected if they state a number the record does not hold.
Official city record ↗ · L&I history ↗ · See the whole block · Download this record (JSON)