Selling a house with code violations

Code enforcement notices can pile up fines and repair demands, and many owners aren't sure they can sell until the violations are fixed. In many cases, you can.

What code violations look like

Overgrown yards, trash, or inoperable vehicles on the property
Unpermitted additions, garage conversions, or structures
Unsafe electrical, plumbing, or structural conditions
Problems at a rental, such as habitability complaints
Vacant or abandoned buildings that the city has flagged

Why they complicate a sale

Unresolved violations can lead to fines and charges, and local governments can sometimes attach unpaid costs to the property, where they may be collected along with property taxes. Lenders and many buyers also shy away from a property with open citations. And as a seller, you generally must disclose known problems and government notices, even if you sell as-is.

Selling as-is with violations

We buy houses with violations and unpermitted work. We account for the cost of correcting them in our offer, take on the work, and deal with the city after closing. You'd still need to be honest about what you know, and any fines or liens recorded against the property are typically paid from the proceeds at closing. See our page on liens and judgments.

Before you decide

Get copies of every notice and note any deadlines.
Contact the city or county code enforcement office to ask what the property would need to come into compliance and whether fines are still accruing.
Compare that cost against a cash offer. If the fixes are small and cheap, fixing them and listing may bring a higher price.

If you tell us what the notices say, we can give you a straight answer about whether a sale makes sense.

Common questions

Can I sell a house that has open code violations?

In many cases yes. The buyer takes on the work, and any recorded fines are usually paid from your proceeds at closing. Disclosure of known problems is still required.

What about unpermitted additions?

They can usually be sold as-is. We factor the risk and any cost of bringing them up to code into our offer.

Other situations

Where we buy

Sacramento Elk Grove Citrus Heights Folsom Rancho Cordova Carmichael Fair Oaks Orangevale Galt Rancho Murieta