Selling a House With Code Violations or Open Permits in South Florida
Open permits, unpermitted additions and code violations are common in South Florida’s older homes, and they can stop a traditional sale late in the process. Here’s what to know before you list.
What shows up when you sell
Title companies run a municipal lien search before closing. It can turn up open or expired permits, unpaid code fines and liens, and active code enforcement cases. Many sellers only find out at this point.
Why it can stop a traditional sale
Lenders and buyers’ attorneys often require open permits to be closed and liens to be paid before closing. Closing an old permit can mean hiring a contractor, opening walls and passing new inspections, which takes time and money.
Your options
- Fix and close out everything, then list. Best price on paper, but slow and expensive, with no guarantee.
- Ask the city about the fines. Many cities have a process to request a reduction of code lien fines once the violation is fixed.
- Sell as-is to a cash buyer. The buyer takes on the open permits and code issues after closing. Liens are paid from the sale at closing, so you don’t pay anything up front.
Efficiencies and converted garages
Unpermitted efficiencies, back units and converted garages are especially common in Hialeah, Miami and older Broward neighborhoods. They often make a house hard to sell with a loan. We buy homes with them in place.
Common questions
Do I have to fix the violations before selling? Not if you sell as-is to a cash buyer. You do need to tell the buyer about known problems.
Who pays the liens? Liens are typically paid from the sale proceeds at closing.
How do I find out what’s open on my property? Your city’s building department can show open permits, and a title company can order a municipal lien search.
This article is general information, not legal advice. If you’d rather skip the permits and repairs, see how selling as-is works, or get a no-obligation cash offer from Easy Home Buyers.
