Buying or selling a house in Philly? Water liens may not be the first thing on your checklist, but you would want to be aware of it.

Delinquent water and wastewater bills can result in a lien on a property.  Before you sell, buy, or refinance the property, you need to resolve these water liens or judgments. If liens aren’t resolved, they’ll pass on to new owner.

Whether you’re a property owner, buyer, or title company, knowing where to look, what information you’ll need, and what to do if you find a lien can save you time and avoid last-minute surprises. Here’s how to look up water liens in Philly:

Before you start

Access the City’s online water lien search tool by visiting water-lien.phila.gov. This website is only a starting point. The search results don’t replace an official title search. Also, the lien amount shown may not include all charges needed to satisfy the lien, such as court costs.

Start your search

Step 1: Access the online tool

To start your search, go to water-lien.phila.gov. The site is secure, easy to use, and available 24/7.

All you need is the property address or water account number. No need to travel to Center City or use a desktop computer in the Office of Judicial Records. Use your phone or tablet to search; or use your computer at home. There’s no need to create an account.

Step 2: Pick a search option

You can search by:

• Property address—use this option if you know the property address but don’t have the water account information available. Enter the street number, name, and type. Here’s an example: 1234 Market St. Check the street number and spelling before submitting. Small errors can make it harder to find the information you’re looking for.

OR

• Water account number—use this option if you have a water bill or the water account number available. You can either enter the first 13 digits or the full 16-digit account number, without spaces or hyphens.

Step 3: Review the results

Review the information displayed after you submit your search. The site has water lien information up to 15 years, including detailed information about liens in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (FJD) dockets. Results may include lien status, docket number, and balance owed, depending on the record.

Does the search show a water lien?

You can resolve it easily. Fill out this Water Payoff Request Form and email it to wateramountdue@phila.gov. Again, the payoff amount may differ from the balance shown on the lien search website. That’s because additional charges, like court costs, may apply.

Find out more about resolving Philadelphia water liens on our website. The City’s easy-to-use e-billing portal lets you settle water bill debt.

Didn’t find any water liens?

It doesn’t always mean the property has no outstanding water bills. The online tool only shows recorded water liens. This doesn’t replace a formal title search, and it may not show every outstanding water bill. Find out more by calling (215) 685-6300.

It’s easy to find water lien information in Philadelphia. Use the City’s online tool to check for recorded liens on any property in the city. Call (215) 685-6300 if you need help or email wateramountdue@phila.gov.