2026 taxable assessment $395,200 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $417,700; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
House report
844 Wharton St
5 bd · 3 ba · 3 stories · 1,836 sqft · RSA5 · built 1915
Absentee individual · assessed $395K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $418K · sold 2×. On the 800 block of Wharton St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
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Property summary
Assessment$395,2002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $417,700
Last sale$140KRecorded 2004 · later nominal deed
Est. tax bill$5,532/year2026 taxable assessment × 1.3998%
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits1Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open4 historical across 2 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 0121961002026 taxable assessment equals the full assessed value.
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 recordImproved
Why it mattersBought for $60K in 2002. Owner pulled a major alteration permit in 2017.
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 1915: 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.
The last transfer used nominal consideration
The latest deed records $100 or less and shared-name parties. That is not a usable market-sale price and can reflect a family, estate, gift, correction, or entity transfer. Inspect the deed and order a title search rather than inferring the relationship or chain.
If you’re the landlord
Lead certificate is not optional
Built 1915: every rental unit needs a lead-safe or lead-free certificate on file with the City. Without one: fines up to $2,000/day per unit, tenants may withhold rent, courts can order rent refunded — and no eviction will stand.
Licensed rental — keep it that way
Renewal requires city tax clearance and zero open L&I violations on the property. A lapsed license suspends the right to collect rent or evict.
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.
The investment read
How this house has moved and where it's pointed: every fetched annual City assessment, charted against its block and ZIP; appreciation includes the full-period compound rate and the latest year-over-year change. The 5-year figure simply extends that historical pace. Yield estimates rent-vs-price from area rents. Ask the record to dig into any number.
Assessed value
$395,200
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $417,700 · built 1915
Price / sq ft
$228
block $230 · in line w/ block
Appreciation
+98%
+6%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +6% vs 2026
In 5 years (~2032)
~$570K
+6%/yr own pace held 5 yrs — extrapolation, not a forecast
Est. tax bill / yr
$5,532
1.32% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Gross yield
4.1%
≈$1K/mo rent
Times sold
2
latest deed has shared-name parties
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$211K 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$211K 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$211K 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$261K 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$283K 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$283K 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$283K 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$350K 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$350K 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$395K 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$395K 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$418K 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 · 2002Deed / sale $60KA 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 · 2004Deed / sale $140KA 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 ↗
- Permit · 2017-07-17Major alterationA broad legacy permit work category for a substantial building alteration. It can include changed layouts, partitions, fixtures, finishes, structural work, or occupancy-related work, but only the approved scope and plans say what this permit actually authorized; separate trade permits may be required.What Philadelphia building permits can cover ↗
- L&I violation · 2016-03-18VENTILATION- DRYER EXHAUSTA 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 · 2016-03-18LICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)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.How the City licenses vacant residential property ↗
- L&I violation · 2017-07-05EXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7A 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 · 2017-07-05UNSAFE STRUCTUREA 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 · 2016-06-14HCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)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.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2017-07-21CSUINITIALA 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 · 2004-03-03RentalA 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 ↗
- License · 2021-02-13RentalA 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 19147 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspectionLicense
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 record11 events · exact dates, newest first
- LicenseRental
- InspectionCSUINITIAL
- PermitMajor alteration
- L&I violationEXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7
- L&I violationUNSAFE STRUCTURE
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- L&I violationVENTILATION- DRYER EXHAUST
- L&I violationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)
- LicenseRental
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $140K
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $60K
The paper trail
ImprovedBought for $60K in 2002. Owner pulled a major alteration permit in 2017.
- 2002 $60KSold
- 2004 $140KSold
- 2016 2 L&I violationsL&IL&I: 2 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
- 2017 2 L&I violations incl EXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7L&IMajor alterationPermitL&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
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 13 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- LicenseRental
License 861470 · Active
Ming Chu · Expires 2027-02-12
- InvestigationCSUINITIAL
Case 591889 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- PermitMajor alteration
Permit 800339 · COMPLETED
MAKE SAFE PERMIT - PERMIT APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO UNSAFE VIOLATIONS ON CASE #591889. TO COMPLY VIOLATION, COMPLETED WORK IS TO BE INSPECTED AND APPROVED AS AN APPROPRIATE REPAIR TO EACH VIOLATION. NO ENGINEER'S REPORT SUBMITTED. LICENSED CONTRACTOR TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OF WORK. WORK TO INCLUDE REPLAING DETERIORATED LINTEL(S) AND REPAIR/SECURE LOOSE & MISSING BRICKS. NO OTHER WORK ON THIS PERMIT. *PERMIT RECEIVED FROM DOWNSTAIRS 7/17/17*
- ViolationEXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7
Case 591889 · Violation 4371262 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationUNSAFE STRUCTURE
Case 591889 · Violation 4371261 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- InvestigationCSUINITIAL
Case 591889 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 524531 · 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.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 524531 · 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.
- ViolationVENTILATION- DRYER EXHAUST
Case 524531 · Violation 3908431 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)
Case 524531 · Violation 3908430 · 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.
- LicenseRental
License 264211 · Closed
MING KEN CHU (CHING YUK CHEN) · Expires 2021-02-28 · Inactive 2021-04-29
- Recorded transfer$140K transfer
2004
- Recorded transfer$60K transfer
2002
What this record suggests
The City file documents 1 permit. 1 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.
Flags: active rental license · latest deed has shared-name parties — relationship unverified. 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
5
Bathrooms
3
Stories
3
Interior
1,836 sqft
livable area
Lot
959 sqft
Basement
Full
city code D
Heat
Undetermined
city code H
Central air
No
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 844 Wharton 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.
Mortgage
—
P&I · 30-yr fixed
All-in monthly
—
+ taxes & insurance
Cash to close
—
down + ~4% costs
Cash flow
—
rent − all costs · /mo
Cap rate
—
NOI ÷ price
Cash-on-cash
—
year-1 return on cash in
Estimates for orientation, not advice. Assumes a 30-year fixed loan, $1,400/yr insurance, 1% of price/yr maintenance; taxes use this parcel's taxable assessment, not a live Tax Center balance.
Block context
844 Wharton St sits on the 800 block of Wharton St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 842 Wharton St · 846 Wharton 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, 8:56 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)