Delinquent water and wastewater bills can result in a lien on a property. Title companies must usually resolve these water liens or judgments before selling or refinancing the property. Likewise, property owners and potential homebuyers may need to settle water liens. If liens are not resolved, the new property owner is responsible for the debt. The best way to get this information on any Philly property is online. Follow the steps below.
Skip the trip
Visit water-lien.phila.gov to look up water liens on Philadelphia properties. No need to travel to Center City or use a desktop computer in the Office of Judicial Records.
Just use the Water Revenue lien search website to find out what water bill debts are owed on the property. The website has detailed information about liens the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (FJD) dockets. It’s secure, easy to use, and available 24/7.
You can use your phone or tablet to search or use your computer at home. There’s no need to register or create an account. All you need is the property address or water account number to find out if it has a lien.
Two ways to search
You can search by account number or property address.
To search by account number,
- Enter the water account number. You’ll find this on the water bill. Use the first 13 digits or all 16 digits to search. Do not use hyphens or spaces when entering the numbers.
To search by address,
- Enter only the street address. Include the street number, name, and type. Like “1234 Market St.”
When you select “Search,” the site shows you lien information for the past 15 years. You’ll also see the lien status, docket number, and balance owed. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your search.
Resolving water liens
The process is easy. Simply fill out this Water Payoff Request Form and email it to wateramountdue@phila.gov. Visit our website for more information about resolving Philadelphia water liens. The City’s easy-to-use e-billing portal also lets you settle water bills.
