Ally HomesCallGet my offer!Code violations or liens on the house? We can still buy it.
Open code cases, daily fines and liens can make a house feel stuck. Ally Homes LLC buys houses with code issues in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County as-is, and works through what has to be resolved at closing.
No cost and no obligation. You'll finish a few details on the next page.
Let the closing handle the cleanup
No fixing the violation first
Overgrown yard, unpermitted addition, unsafe structure notice. You don't have to correct it before we buy.
Liens handled through title
Recorded liens are generally found in the title search and paid or resolved through the title company at closing.
We read the case file
We look up the open case, understand what the county or city is asking for, and factor it into a straightforward offer.
We Make It Easy
Need your hand held? Don't need help at all? Tell us what you need, and we're here to help YOU.
Tell us what's going on
Enter address or give us a call. We'll talk about what's going on and find out what works.
We give you a cash offer
We present your no-obligation cash offer, no banks and no institutions.
Close and get paid
Pick your closing date and how you want to get paid. We will handle the paperwork.
How code violations and liens generally work
Florida counties and cities enforce local codes for things like property upkeep, unpermitted construction and unsafe structures. When a violation isn't corrected, it can turn into fines and a lien on the property. Here is the general path.
From notice to hearing
Enforcement usually starts with a notice of violation and a deadline to fix it. If the issue isn't corrected, the case may go to a code enforcement board or a special magistrate hearing. If a violation is found, the board can set a compliance date and a daily fine that keeps running until the property is brought into compliance.
Fines can become liens
When a fine order is recorded in the county's public records, it generally becomes a lien on the property. Florida law can also allow these liens to reach other real property the violator owns, not just the house with the violation. That is one reason not to let them sit.
Liens follow the property
A code lien generally stays with the property until it is paid, settled or released. That is why it shows up in a title search, and why a buyer's title company will want it handled at or before closing. Many local governments have a process to request a reduction of accrued fines once the property is brought into compliance or sold to someone who will fix it. Whether that is available, and how much it might help, depends on the county or city.
Other liens to look for
Code liens are not the only kind. Unpaid utility bills, special assessments, contractor liens and HOA liens can also be recorded against a house. A title search pulls these together so everyone can see what has to be paid from the sale proceeds.
Selling with open violations
Selling doesn't make a violation disappear, but it can move the problem to a buyer who plans to fix it. In many cases the open case, the fines and the liens are worked out through the closing, and the seller doesn't pay out of pocket beforehand. The details depend on the amounts and on the local government, so we look at each case before we make an offer.
Common questions
Do I have to fix the violation before I sell?
No. We buy houses with open code cases as-is. The violation and any fines are factored into our offer and worked out at closing.
Who pays the liens?
Recorded liens are generally paid from the sale proceeds through the title company at closing. If the liens are larger than the equity, we will talk through what options there may be, such as a fine reduction request.
Can the fines keep growing while I sell?
Daily fines can keep running until the property is in compliance, depending on the order. That is a good reason to look at your options sooner.
How do I find out what's open on my property?
Your county or city code enforcement office can tell you about open cases, and the county clerk's official records show what has been recorded. We can also look it up with you.
Can you buy a house with an unsafe structure or condemnation notice?
Often, yes. These cases come with their own deadlines and rules, so we look at the specific notice before making an offer.
Get the house unstuck.
Get your offer or call (727) 346-8266, and we'll look at the case with you.
Get my offer!