If your Bucks County house has open code violations, failed a township inspection, or is racking up citations, We Buy In Bucks can buy it for cash as-is and take over the repairs after closing, so the violations become our job instead of yours. You do not need to hire contractors, pull permits, or fight with the township first. Call (267) 751-9256 or request an offer below for a free, no-obligation number within 24 hours.
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Why Code Violations Make a House Hard to Sell
Many Bucks County municipalities require a resale inspection or a use and occupancy (U&O) certificate when a house changes hands. When that inspection turns up problems such as missing smoke detectors, unsafe wiring, a failing deck, or unpermitted work, a regular sale can stall. Buyers get nervous, and their lenders may refuse to finance a house with known violations.
Some owners face more than a failed inspection. A house may have open citations for tall grass, trash, or exterior damage, or an unsafe-structure notice after a fire or storm. Each month brings more fines and more stress.
How We Take Over the Violations
Pennsylvania’s Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act, as amended by Act 133 of 2016, lets a buyer purchase a house with code violations and fix them after closing. Under that law, when a point-of-sale inspection finds violations, the municipality issues a temporary permit instead of blocking the sale:
- A temporary use and occupancy permit when the violations are basic, which lets the new owner use the house while making repairs
- A temporary access certificate when the violations are substantial enough that the house is unfit to live in, which lets the new owner in to do the repair work
The buyer then generally has 12 months from the purchase to correct the violations. As the buyer, we sign for that responsibility, pull the permits, and do the work. You walk away at closing.
Rules and forms vary from one township or borough to the next, so we confirm the local requirements for your property before closing. Read the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors summary of Act 133 for more detail.
Violations We Commonly Take On
- Failed resale or U&O inspections
- Unpermitted additions, finished basements, decks, or garage conversions
- Electrical, plumbing, or heating problems flagged by an inspector
- Roof, siding, gutter, and exterior maintenance citations
- Yard, trash, and property maintenance notices
- Fire or water damage and unsafe-structure notices
- Illegal apartments or conversions that the township will not approve
How It Works
- Tell us about the house and the violations. Call or fill out the form. If you have the township’s inspection report or citation letters, send them along so we can see the full list.
- Get a cash offer within 24 hours. Our written, no-obligation offer already accounts for the cost of fixing the violations.
- Close and hand off the problem. We close through a licensed title company on your timeline and take over the repairs with the municipality after closing.
What About Fines You Already Owe?
Fines, judgments, or municipal liens that have already been assessed against the property are treated like any other lien. They are usually paid at closing from the sale proceeds, and the title company shows each payoff on your settlement statement. Once you sell, new violations are no longer your responsibility. If you are unsure what you owe, the title search will show recorded liens, and we will walk through them with you.
Why Sell to We Buy In Bucks
We are a local Bucks County buyer, and we deal with townships and boroughs across the county. We know that a stack of citations can feel overwhelming, especially for a landlord, an heir, or an owner who has moved away. Our job is to make it simple: a fair price, a firm closing date, and no repairs on your end. You can also see what we buy or read about selling a house as-is in Bucks County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a house with open code violations in Pennsylvania?
Generally yes. Under Act 133 of 2016, a municipality cannot use point-of-sale violations to block the sale or require repairs before settlement. The buyer receives a temporary permit and takes responsibility for fixing the violations, usually within 12 months.
Do I have to fix anything before selling to you?
No. We buy the house as-is and handle the repairs after closing. You do not hire contractors or pull permits.
What if my township requires a resale inspection?
That is normal in many Bucks County municipalities. We help schedule the inspection, review the report with you, and sign the forms the township needs to issue a temporary permit to us as the buyer.
What happens to fines and citations I already have?
Fines or liens already assessed are usually paid off at closing from your proceeds, like a mortgage or tax lien. After closing, the property and any further enforcement become our responsibility.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Municipal rules vary, so if you have questions about your specific citations, talk to a Pennsylvania real estate attorney or your township’s code office.