Code Violations & Liens in Florida: the timeline, your options, and how to sell for cash
Yes. We buy houses with open code cases and recorded liens. The title company gets payoff or reduction letters from the local government and the liens are resolved at closing, so you don't have to make the repairs first.
How code violation works in Florida, step by step
The stages below follow the Florida Statutes. Each county's Circuit Court, Clerk and Tax Collector handle the local steps — pick your area below for those details.
Notice of violation
A code officer gives notice and a deadline to fix the problem (Chapter 162, Fla. Stat.).
Hearing
If it isn't fixed, the case goes to the code enforcement board or special magistrate, which can set daily fines.
Fines become a lien
Once the fine order is recorded in the county public records, it becomes a lien on the property and on the violator's other property (s. 162.09).
Foreclosure risk
Three months after the lien is filed, the local government can sue to foreclose it — except on homestead property.
Reduction or payoff
Many local governments offer lien reduction once the property comes into compliance or is sold to someone who will fix it.
Every option, honestly compared
Fix and close the case
Stops the daily fines, but permits and contractors can be slow and costly.
Request a lien reduction
Most cities and counties have a process once the violation is cured.
Sell to a rehabber
A buyer who will make repairs can often negotiate the fines down as part of the purchase.
Sell for cash as-is
We take on the violations and coordinate payoffs or reductions at closing.
Code Violations & Liens help by county and city
Local pages include the court, Clerk and neighborhoods for each area.
Broward County · 17th Circuit
Duval County · 4th Circuit
Escambia County · 1st Circuit
Hillsborough County · 13th Circuit
Lee County · 20th Circuit
Miami-Dade County · 11th Circuit
Orange County · 9th Circuit
Palm Beach County · 15th Circuit
Pinellas County · 6th Circuit
Volusia County · 7th Circuit
Three steps. Your schedule.
No listing, no staging, and no strangers walking through your Florida house. Here's the whole process.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
Cash sale vs. listing with an agent
Listing can bring a higher sticker price, but only after repairs, commissions and months of carrying costs come out of it.
| Traditional sale | QuikCashOffers | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs before selling | Usually expected | None — sold as-is |
| Agent commissions | Often 5–6% | $0 |
| Showings and open houses | Weeks or months | None |
| Time to close | 30–60+ days after a contract | As little as 7 days |
| Financing risk | Buyer's loan can fall through | Cash — no loan needed |
| Closing costs | Often split or paid by seller | Normal costs covered by us |
Florida code violation questions
Can a code lien be foreclosed in Florida?
Yes, three months after it is recorded — but not on property that qualifies as homestead (s. 162.09, Fla. Stat.).
Will the fines keep growing until I sell?
Usually they accrue daily until the violation is fixed or the case is resolved, so moving quickly matters.
Can code liens be reduced?
Often. Many Florida cities and counties have a lien mitigation or reduction process, especially when the property is sold to someone who will bring it into compliance.
Do I need to make repairs before selling?
No. We buy as-is and handle repairs after closing.
Do you buy in every Florida county?
We focus on the counties and cities listed on this page and review other Florida addresses case by case. Submit the address and we'll tell you within a day.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide summarizes Florida law in plain English. For advice about your case, talk to a Florida attorney.
Get a cash offer on a house with code violations anywhere in Florida.
Two minutes to submit and a written offer within 24 hours.