Can You Sell a House With Code Violations in Morristown, TN?

We buy houses with code notices, repair problems, or serious disrepair as-is. You do not have to repair, clean, or clear out the house to sell to us. When you sell to us, we're the buyer, so the repairs become our job.

That does not erase an existing order, court matter, lien, or seller obligation before closing. Keep any dates on the notice in view while you decide what to do.

Tennessee lets cities adopt rules for buildings that are unfit for people to live in or use. After notice and a hearing, a city can order the owner to repair or close a building. If repairs cannot be made at a reasonable cost, it can order the building torn down. If the owner does not comply, the city can do the work itself and charge the cost to the property as a lien. That cost is collected with property taxes; if it goes unpaid, it carries the same penalty and interest as late property taxes. Selling the house does not make the lien disappear. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-103 on municipal notice, repair, demolition, and liens.

When you sell to us, we're the buyer, so the repairs become our job. An existing order, lien, court matter, or deadline is not automatically cancelled by a sale. Ask the office that issued the notice and the title company what is still open for this property.

1. Tell us the property address, its condition, what the notice says, and any dates or court papers you have.
2. We talk through the house and notice with you. You can have that conversation before doing repairs or trying to resolve the notice.
3. We give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You see the written offer and written terms before you commit; if you choose to sell, closing is through a title company.

You can call 888-274-5006 to talk about the property; you do not have to repair it before calling.

Morristown-area addresses can fall in Hamblen or Jefferson County, and the market name alone does not show whether a particular property is inside city limits. The City GIS Department links an “Am I in City Limits?” address lookup. For a property within city limits, start with Morristown Codes Enforcement or Building Inspections and use the contact on any notice you received.

For a property outside city limits, confirm the county and follow the office named on the notice. Hamblen County lists Planning and Zoning and Property Maintenance for planning, building-code, and property-maintenance questions; the office number is (423) 581-1373. Jefferson County lists a Building Department and Zoning Department for building and zoning inquiries. These offices have different roles, so confirm which office issued the specific notice.

City of Morristown GIS Department

When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Tennessee's realty transfer tax. Your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate. A code-enforcement lien does not go away just because the property is sold; ask the issuing office and the title company about the amount and how it affects this closing.

Compare your numbers with the Morristown home-sale net proceeds calculator. Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.