House report

5535 Matthews St

3 bd · 1 ba · 1 story · 1,056 sqft · RM1 · built 1900

Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $138K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $115K · sold 3×. On the 5500 block of Matthews St.

Street view of 5535 Matthews St
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From above · selected parcel outlined; choose a neighboring polygon to open it — imagery © Esri, Maxar
BlockReport AI · cited public records

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Property summary

“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:

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.

Estimated annual Real Estate Tax$1,935/year

2026 taxable assessment $138,200 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.

OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $115,400; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.

Official current account balanceCheck live

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 122293800
Open Philadelphia Tax Center →Choose “View period balance” to see the tax year and any credit, interest, or delinquency.
Exemption classificationNo exemption shown

2026 taxable assessment equals the full assessed value.

Historical delinquency sources Record found

This parcel did not match the June 2022 delinquency snapshot. That absence does not confirm the account is current today.

A separate historical parcel ledger ending in 2016 records $1,872.25 and a lien entry. It is shown as historical context only.

2015$972.29 total · $630.30 principal · $66.19 interest · $44.12 penalty2016$899.96 total · $743.72 principal · $11.16 interest · $7.44 penalty

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 record
Finding

Permit on record

Record summary

$34K transfer recorded in 2018. Roof Covering Replacement permit recorded in 2025.

View supporting records →
Finding

"Built 1900" is usually a placeholder

Record summary

Philadelphia records use 1900 as a stand-in when the real construction year was never documented. Treat the age as unknown, not as 120+ years.

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 1900: 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.

If you own it

$1,399/yr may be unclaimed

This home reads owner-occupied but shows no Homestead Exemption, which removes $100,000 from the taxable assessment (worth up to $1,399/yr). Applying through the City is free and takes minutes.

$1,872 in the historical tax ledger through 2016

Historical context only, not a current payoff figure; that ledger also contains a lien entry. Verify today's balance and lien status directly with Philadelphia Revenue before relying on it.

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
$138,200
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $115,400 · built 1900
Price / sq ft
$109
block $109 · in line w/ block
Assessment change
+150%
+9%/yr since 2016 · 2027 -16% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$1,935
1.4% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
3

Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line

$0$100K$200KZIP 19138 median$115K200820122016202020242027
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19138 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspection

Scroll horizontally to move through the years. 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 record27 events · exact dates, newest first
  1. PermitRoof Covering Replacement
  2. InspectionL&I investigation
  3. InspectionL&I investigation
  4. L&I violationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS
  5. Deed / saleDeed / sale $120K
  6. L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
  7. L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
  8. Deed / saleDeed / sale $34K
  9. L&I violationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY
  10. L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
  11. Deed / saleDeed / sale $34K
  12. L&I violationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY
  13. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  14. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  15. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND
  16. L&I violationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS
  17. L&I violationEXTERIOR AREA SANITATION
  18. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE
  19. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  20. L&I violationVACANT BLDG UNSECURED COUNT
  21. L&I violationVACANT PROP STANDARD (likely: vacant-property enforcement standard)
  22. L&I violationEXT A-CLEAN WEEDS/PLANTS (Cut or remove weeds and overgrowth from the exterior area)
  23. L&I violationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)
  24. InspectionBRU INSP
  25. L&I violationEXT A-CLEAN RUBBISH/GARBAGE (Remove rubbish or garbage from the exterior area)
  26. L&I violationPROSEC- STD INFO (likely: Standard enforcement or prosecution notice)
  27. L&I violationEXT A-CLEAN WEEDS/PLANTS (Cut or remove weeds and overgrowth from the exterior area)

The paper trail

$34K transfer recorded in 2018. Roof Covering Replacement permit recorded in 2025.

  1. 2015 Inspection failed ×3L&I visit
  2. 2016 L&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
  3. 2017 L&I violationL&I
  4. 2018 $34KTransfer2 L&I violationsL&I
  5. 2019 2 L&I violationsL&I$34KTransfer
  6. 2020 $120KTransfer
  7. 2022 L&I violationL&IInspection failed ×2L&I visit
  8. 2023 Inspection passedL&I visit
  9. 2025 Roof Covering ReplacementPermit

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.

Open the City record ↗
Browse 31 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
  1. PermitRoof Covering Replacement

    Permit GM-2025-009894 · Completed

    EZ PERMIT RE-ROOFING- For the Installation of New Roof Coverings on Exiting Roofs as per attached standard. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. Remove & replace roof

  2. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2022-089971 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  3. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2022-089971 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  4. ViolationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS

    Case CF-2022-089971 · Violation VI-2022-066019 · Code PM15-302.4 · COMPLIED

    Resolution: COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  5. Recorded transfer$120K transfer

    2020

  6. ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT

    Case 711229 · Violation 5211579 · Code CP-312A · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  7. ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE

    Case 711229 · Violation 5211578 · Code CP-01 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  8. Recorded transfer$34K transfer

    2019

  9. ViolationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY

    Case 667865 · Violation 4979912 · Code CP-101 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  10. ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE

    Case 667865 · Violation 4979911 · Code CP-01 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  11. Recorded transfer$34K transfer

    2018

  12. ViolationLICENSE - RENTAL PROPERTY

    Case 593683 · Violation 4531129 · Code CP-101 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  13. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 501625 · PASSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  14. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 501625 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  15. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 501620 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  16. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 501620 · CLOSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.

  17. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND

    Case 501620 · Violation 3728125 · Code PM15-301 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  18. ViolationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS

    Case 501620 · Violation 3728127 · Code PM15-302.4 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  19. ViolationEXTERIOR AREA SANITATION

    Case 501620 · Violation 3728126 · Code PM15-302.1 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  20. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE

    Case 501625 · Violation 3819422 · Code 9-3905 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  21. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 293471 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  22. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 293471 · CLOSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.

  23. ViolationVACANT BLDG UNSECURED COUNT

    Case 293471 · Violation 2237451 · Code PM-306.2/1 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  24. ViolationVACANT PROP STANDARD (likely: vacant-property enforcement standard)

    Case 293471 · Violation 2237450 · Code PM-306.0/1 · COMPLIED

    A legacy L&I label associated with vacant-property requirements. It may concern licensing, securing, or maintaining a vacant structure; the notice and cited code control, and this row alone does not prove the property is vacant now. City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  25. ViolationEXT A-CLEAN WEEDS/PLANTS (Cut or remove weeds and overgrowth from the exterior area)

    Case 293471 · Violation 2237449 · Code PM-302.3/1 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  26. ViolationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)

    Case 293471 · Violation 2237448 · Code PM-102.4/2 · COMPLIED

    This usually records a requirement to obtain a Vacant Structure License for an unoccupied residential building. Check later license and compliance rows because it does not establish present vacancy or an unresolved violation. City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  27. InvestigationBRU INSP

    Case 163050 · CLOSED

    City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.

  28. ViolationEXT A-CLEAN RUBBISH/GARBAGE (Remove rubbish or garbage from the exterior area)

    Case 163050 · Violation 969206 · Code PM-302.2/2 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  29. ViolationPROSEC- STD INFO (likely: Standard enforcement or prosecution notice)

    Case 163050 · Violation 969205 · Code A-503.2/2 · COMPLIED

    Legacy L&I shorthand; the case notice contains the actual required correction and deadlines. City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  30. ViolationEXT A-CLEAN WEEDS/PLANTS (Cut or remove weeds and overgrowth from the exterior area)

    Case 163050 · Violation 969207 · Code PM-302.3/1 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  31. InvestigationBRU INSP

    Case 163050 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

What this record suggests

The City file documents 1 permit touching roof work. 1 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.

Flags: historical tax ledger through 2016 recorded $2K with a lien entry. 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
1
Interior
1,056 sqft
livable area
Lot
800 sqft
Basement
Full, unfinished
city code C
Heat
Hot water / radiators
city code B
Central air
No
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Interior condition
Average
city code 4
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
Zoning
RM1
city zoning code

OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.

Where the record looks off

Places where the city's own paperwork disagrees with itself. These are flags on the data — not problems with the property.

"Built 1900" is usually a placeholder

Philadelphia records use 1900 as a stand-in when the real construction year was never documented. Treat the age as unknown, not as 120+ years.

Run the numbers

What owning 5535 Matthews 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.

$115K
20%
6.875%
$1K/mo

When this house last sold (2020) a 30-year mortgage ran about 3.1% — 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

5535 Matthews St sits on the 5500 block of Matthews St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.

See the whole block →

Next door: 5533 Matthews St  ·  5537 Matthews St

Where this comes from

Methodology & freshness

This report was assembled Jul 11, 2026, 2:56 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)