Can I sell a house with code violations in Prince George's County?

If you own a house in Prince George's County, MD and you are dealing with vacant property, this page covers what actually happens next — the local timeline, what it costs, and the options that stay open to you. Everything below is specific to Prince George's County and how sales are handled in MD, not generic national advice.

Direct Answer

Yes, you can sell a house with code violations in Prince George’s County. Maryland law does not stop you from selling a property just because it has rules it hasn't followed, but you must be honest with the buyer about what is wrong. Because most banks will not lend money for a house that has safety or health problems, you will likely need to find a cash buyer or a professional real estate investor who is willing to take on the repairs and the fines.

Key Details

Selling a house with code violations means you are dealing with a property that the local government has flagged for not meeting safety or maintenance standards. In Prince George’s County, the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) handles these issues. If your house is vacant, it falls under even stricter rules.

The Impact on Selling Price

When a house has violations, its value drops. Buyers who use traditional bank loans (like FHA or VA loans) usually cannot buy these homes because the bank requires an inspection to prove the house is safe. If the inspector finds violations like exposed wiring, lead paint, or a leaking roof, the bank will refuse the loan. This leaves you with a much smaller group of people who can buy your house. Usually, these are cash investors who expect a large discount because they are taking a risk by paying for the repairs and the county fines themselves.

Disclosing Information

In Maryland, you have to decide between two forms when you sell a house: the Disclosure Statement or the Disclaimer Statement.

• Disclosure: You list every single thing you know is wrong with the house.
• Disclaimer: You sell the house "as-is." This means you aren't making any promises about the house's condition. However, even if you sell "as-is," you MUST still tell the buyer about "latent defects." These are hidden problems that could hurt someone or make the house unsafe, such as a cracked foundation or dangerous mold.

Liens and Fines

If you have ignored code violations for a long time, Prince George’s County may have placed a lien on your property. A lien is a legal claim for money. For example, if the county had to mow your tall grass or board up your windows, they will bill you. If you don't pay, that bill becomes a lien. You cannot officially transfer the house to a new owner until these liens are paid off at the closing of the sale.

MD-Specific Laws

Maryland has specific laws that every homeowner should know before they put a house with violations on the market.

Maryland Real Property Code § 10-702

This is the most important state law for sellers. It requires owners of residential properties (up to 4 units) to give the buyer either a disclosure or a disclaimer form. This must happen before the buyer signs the contract. If you fail to give them this form, the buyer has the right to cancel the contract at any time before they get the form, or even a few days after.

Adverse Possession (Squatter's Rights)

If you leave a house vacant for a very long time, you might worry about someone else trying to claim it. In Maryland, under Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-103, a person must occupy a property for 20 years continuously, openly, and without your permission before they can try to claim ownership. This is a very long time, but it is a reason why the county wants you to keep your property secure and registered.

Lead Paint Laws

Maryland is very strict about lead paint in houses built before 1978. Under the Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act, if you are renting the property out, you must have it tested. When selling, you must provide a specific federal lead paint disclosure form. Unresolved lead paint violations are some of the hardest to deal with because they are expensive to fix.

Prince George's County Local Context

Prince George’s County (PG County) has its own set of tough rules for vacant and poorly maintained homes. These are managed primarily by DPIE.

Vacant Property Registration (CB-080-2023)

In late 2023, the County Council passed a new law (CB-080-2023) to track vacant and "blighted" (ruined) properties. If your house is vacant and not being taken care of, it can be put on an official registry. Being on this list can trigger a $1,000 fine. The county created this list because vacant homes can attract crime and lower the property values of neighbors.

The Clean Lot Code

This is part of Subtitle 13 of the County Code. It says that your grass cannot be taller than 12 inches. It also says you cannot have trash, debris, or broken cars sitting in your yard. If someone calls 3-1-1 to complain, an inspector will come out. If they find a violation, they will give you a "Notice of Violation" (NOV). You usually have 10 days to fix it. If you don't, the county will hire a crew to fix it for you, and they will send you a very expensive bill.

Nuisance Abatement and Receivership

PG County has the power to take legal action against "nuisance" properties. If a house is a danger to the community and the owner won't fix it, the county can ask a court to appoint a receiver. A receiver is a person who takes over the property to fix it up or sell it. This is usually a last resort, but it shows why it is important to sell the house before the county takes it over.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you are ready to sell a house with violations in PG County, follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Call 3-1-1 or Search DPIE Records: Find out exactly what violations are on your property. You can use the Prince George’s County online portal to see the history of permits and inspections for your address.
2. Check for Liens: Contact the Prince George’s County Office of Finance (Treasury Division) to see if you owe money for property taxes, trash pick-up, or weed cutting. These must be paid at closing.
3. Decide on Disclosure vs. Disclaimer: Talk to a real estate attorney. In most cases with heavy violations, it is safer to use a Disclaimer and sell the house "as-is," while still listing any hidden safety dangers you know about.
4. Register the Property if Vacant: If your house is empty, make sure you have registered it with the county if required. This can prevent that $1,000 fine from hitting you while you are trying to sell.
5. Market to the Right Buyers: Don't waste time trying to sell to a family using a bank loan if the house has no roof or broken windows. Look for "We Buy Houses" investors or local cash buyers who have experience fixing up homes in Maryland. They are usually the only ones who can close the deal quickly on a property with code issues.