What Are Grounds for Home Condemnation?

Here are the main reasons that a house can be condemned by a local government:

• The house has been abandoned, and due to lack of care, it is deteriorating.
• Due to the deterioration, it is an unsafe structure. This can also be due to natural disasters, like hurricanes or termite infestation.
• The house is unsanitary and therefore unsafe; this can be the case in hoarding situations. The weight of the hoard can actually impact the structural integrity of the house.
• The house no longer has access to utilities such as water, electricity, sewer, or a septic system.
• Code violations that are not remedied.

The process of condemning a house

The local government will provide the homeowner with a condemnation notice, citing what the issues are with the house, and what needs to be done to remedy the case.

For example, a hoarder might be given a certain length of time to clean up their house, or if a house is infested with mold, the homeowner is given time to fix it. The health department can also deem that a house is not fit for habitation.

If no changes, or not enough changes, are made in the time period provided, the government can seize the property and deem it condemned. Since the house is considered unsafe, no one is allowed to live in the house. It will be boarded up, and warning signs will be put on the exterior of the home. Vacant houses are not ideal, because they attract squatters.

More than 16 million homes are vacant in the U.S. — and Florida has more empty houses than any other state, according to a LendingTree study.

Can you sell a condemned house?

Yes, a homeowner can sell their house after it’s been condemned. First, the homeowner has the option to make the necessary repairs and put the house on the market. “However, this option may not be feasible, as the homeowner likely wouldn’t be considering a sale if they were able to make these repairs.

The homeowner may decide not to bring the house up to code and sell it “as is.” This process is going to be different than a traditional home sale. Since the structure has been deemed unsafe, the homeowner will have to pay to demolish the house and sell the lot that it sits on. Basically, you’re selling the land.

Demolishing a house doesn’t come without a cost, though. The price tag is going to depend on your location and the size of the house, with the national average being $18,000, according to Bob Vila’s website. However, the range can be anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000.

Eminent domain

Your house might be completely up to code with all taxes paid, but still be taken away. It’s scary to think about, but through eminent domain, governments are able to seize a property without consent from the homeowner if it’s going to be for public use. One example might be an area being cleared to make way for a road or bridge. The government must, however, provide the homeowner with “just compensation.”

Florida was once considered one of the worst offenders for eminent domain, according to the Institute for Justice (a nonprofit, public-interest law firm). The state has since redeemed itself to earn an “A” rating. Alabama and Georgia both received a B+.

Selling your condemned house

If your house is condemned, it may feel like you’re stuck with an unsafe structure. However, homebuying companies like Meridian Trust are in the business of purchasing properties in all kinds of conditions — even condemned. In this case, Meridian Trust is buying the house “as is” and essentially purchasing the lot.

No matter what issues arise, Meridian Trust handles it with their network of transaction coordinators, attorneys, and even an in-house title company. Our team of experts can help resolve issues with permits, liens, or violations — and we’ll even cover the closing costs.

Call Meridian Trust for a free, no-obligation property value analysis. If we’re able to make a cash offer, you can decide if you’d like to move forward — no pressure.

To get started or learn more, call us at (855) 996-9153.

Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Meridian Trust does not make any guarantees about the sufficiency of the content in or linked to from this blog post or that it is compliant with current law. The content within this blog post is not a substitute for legal advice or legal services. You should not rely on this information for any purpose without consulting a licensed lawyer in your area.