City of Santa Maria Code Compliance
Start here for a city code or property-maintenance question. Ask the City which current requirements apply to the address or any notice you received.
Santa Maria, CA seller help · Tenant-occupied house
You're done — no turnover, no repairs, no more bad tenants.
After you sell the property to us, you are done with the house. Yes, you can sell your Santa Maria house while tenants are still living there.
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County, California, including tenant-occupied houses. A sale does not by itself cancel a tenant's lease, so the lease and deposit still need a clear handoff.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form. You can talk with us while the tenants are still there; you do not have to settle every lease or move-out question first.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the property address, lease status, occupancy, access, and what is happening with the house.
What we do
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
You don't always need to evict to sell to us. We buy houses with tenants in place — we've done it many times, including cash-for-keys when that works better for everyone. We can discuss the house, lease, rent, access, condition, and timing while the tenancy is in place.
Cash-for-keys is an agreed move-out arrangement that includes a payment. If it is part of the conversation, put the terms in writing and consider how the lease and applicable process fit.
Bring us the tenant problem
Tell us what is happening with the lease, rent, access, repairs, tenant communication, notices, deposit records, or timing. Call 888-274-5006 and talk it through; you do not have to make a move-out decision before the conversation.
What happens next
1. We discuss the house and tenancy
We talk about the Santa Maria address, who lives there, what the lease says, rent, access, repairs, notices, deposit records, and the timing you have in mind. Share what you know; you do not have to solve the tenancy before calling.
2. You review the written offer and terms
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You can read the price and terms before deciding whether they work for you.
Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
3. The closing accounts for the handoff
If you choose to proceed, the title company handles the closing. Give the buyer and closing professionals the lease, deposit records, and tenant notices so they can account for the handoff in the written terms and closing documents.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the county documentary transfer tax and any city transfer tax.
Your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate items.
Local help for a Santa Maria rental
The 2026 Census incorporated-place boundary puts Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County. Check the property address or APN before routing records or asking which local office covers it.
Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder
County starting point for document recording and Documentary Transfer Tax service information.
Santa Barbara County Assessor
County route for property information and assessor resources; tax collection questions go to the Tax Collector.
California leases, notice, possession, and security deposits
You can plan a sale while a lease is still in place. The sale alone is not notice to leave and does not set a move-out date; the lease and any applicable notice and possession process still matter. Local rental and eviction rules may also apply.
The buyer takes the property subject to the lease
California Civil Code section 821 gives a buyer who takes property subject to a lease the same rights to collect rent and enforce the lease. A sale does not by itself cancel the rental agreement. Share the lease and occupancy details so the handoff can reflect the tenancy.
Security deposits need a clear handoff
When your ownership ends, California Civil Code section 1950.5 gives you two choices for each security deposit after lawful deductions. You can transfer the remaining amount to the buyer and notify the tenant by personal delivery or first-class mail. The notice must state any claims against the deposit, the amount transferred, and the buyer's name, address, and phone number.
Or you can return the remaining amount to the tenant with an itemized accounting. If the required transfer or return steps are skipped, the buyer can share liability for the deposit. Keep the lease, deposit records, and tenant notices together for the closing discussion.
The new owner gives tenants contact and rent-payment information
California Civil Code section 1962 requires the new owner to give tenants its contact information and where to pay rent within 15 days. Keep current rent records and tenant notices with the lease so the handoff can account for them.
Useful Santa Maria seller links
Santa Maria home-sale net proceeds calculator →Compare editable estimates for listing and a direct as-is sale.Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County seller resources →Find local records, the market report, and other property-situation information.Santa Maria code-violation information →Read about an as-is sale when a code notice, repair, or property-maintenance question is part of the situation.How the Santa Maria selling process works →See the path from sharing property details to written terms and title-company closing.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Questions about selling a Santa Maria house with tenants
Can I sell my Santa Maria house while tenants are still living there?
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County, California, including houses with tenants. A sale does not by itself cancel the lease, so the lease and occupancy still need to be part of the handoff.
Does the sale make the tenants move out?
No. The sale itself does not end a lease or set a move-out date. The lease and any applicable notice and possession process still matter; local rental and eviction rules may also apply.
What happens to the security deposit when I sell?
When your ownership ends, California law gives you two choices for the remaining deposit after lawful deductions: transfer it to the buyer with the required tenant notice, or return it to the tenant with an itemized accounting. Keep the deposit records and tenant notices with the lease for the closing discussion.
Do I have to evict before I call?
Not always. We buy houses with tenants in place, and cash-for-keys may be discussed when that works better for everyone. Tell us about the property and tenancy; the lease and applicable process still matter.
Talk through the tenant situation
Call 888-274-5006 with a question, or return to the form above to share the Santa Maria address and what is happening with the tenancy, access, or repairs.