How fast can you close on my house?

We can close in as little as 7-21 days depending on funding and title work. You choose the closing date that works best for your timeline.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No. We buy houses in any condition - as-is. No repairs, no cleaning, no staging required. We handle everything after closing.

Are there any fees or commissions?

No. There are no realtor fees, no commissions, and we cover all closing costs. The offer we make is the amount you receive.

What types of properties do you buy?

We buy single family homes, townhouses, rowhouses, condos, multifamily properties, duplexes, triplexes, land, and infill lots in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.

Do you buy houses in foreclosure?

Yes. We specialize in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure with a fast cash sale. We can close quickly to help you protect your credit and walk away with cash.

Can you buy my house if it has problem tenants?

Yes. We buy tenant-occupied properties including those with problem tenants. We handle the tenant situation after closing so you can move on stress-free.

Do you buy inherited or probate properties?

Yes. We specialize in buying inherited and probate properties. We understand the process and can work with your attorney or handle properties still in probate.

What if my house has code violations or liens?

We buy houses with code violations, liens, title issues, and other problems that make traditional sales difficult. We handle the resolution as part of the purchase.

Baltimore County Code Violations: PAI Notices, Rat Control & Rental Fines

In Baltimore County, code enforcement is handled by the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). While the City focuses on vacant rowhomes, the County focuses aggressively on “Neighborhood Nuisances”—specifically rats, tall grass, and unlicensed rental properties.

For 2026, the County has intensified its “Rat Eradication Program.” If a neighbor reports rodents on your property, the county can force an inspection. If you fail to treat the issue, they will hire their own exterminator to treat your yard and add the cost to your tax bill.

This guide explains the 2026 fine schedule, why you cannot evict tenants if you have an open violation, and how to sell your house to a cash buyer to resolve PAI citations immediately.

The 3 Most Common PAI Violations

Baltimore County inspectors (Code Enforcement Officers) focus on violations that affect the “curb appeal” and health of the suburbs.

1. The “Rat Eradication” Program

What it is: The County conducts neighborhood sweeps to find “rat harborage” (wood piles, trash, tall weeds).
The “Red Ribbon” Rule: If inspectors find evidence of rats, they may tie a Red Ribbon to your fence, indicating the property has been treated by a county contractor.
The Cost: You are billed for the extermination services. If unpaid, this becomes a lien on your property tax bill.

2. Rental Housing Registration (The Eviction Trap)

The Rule: Every rental unit in Baltimore County (even a basement or single-family home) must be registered and inspected.
The Trap: If you do not have a valid Rental License, you cannot file for eviction in District Court. If you have a “squatter” or non-paying tenant, you are powerless to remove them until you fix all code violations and pay the back registration fees.

3. Inoperable Vehicles & “Clean Green” Violations

The Rule: You cannot keep a vehicle without valid tags on your driveway for more than 15 days. It must be fully operational or stored in a garage.
The Fine: Inspectors also target grass taller than 12 inches and “accumulation of debris” (trash/junk) in the yard.

The 2026 Fine Schedule (Daily Civil Penalties)

Unlike a one-time speeding ticket, Baltimore County Code violations carry daily civil penalties that accrue until the issue is fixed.

Violation Type	Fine Amount	Note
Failure to Register Rental	$25 per day	Accrues indefinitely until registered.
Uncorrected Violation	$200 per day	Jumps to this rate if you miss the correction deadline.
Nuisance Abatement	Cost + Admin Fee	County hires contractor; cost becomes a tax lien.
Civil Citation	$200 – $1,000	Determined by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Warning: If you fail to pay the “Abatement Liens” (for grass cutting or rat extermination), the County can sell your house at the annual Tax Sale to recover the debt.

Your Options: Fix, Appeal, or Sell?

Option 1: Correct the Violation (The Hard Way)

For Rats: You must hire a licensed pest control company to “exclusion” the property (seal holes) and remove all harborage (junk/weeds).
For Rentals: You must pass a lead paint inspection, a zoning inspection, and pay all back-fees to get your license current before you can evict a bad tenant.

Option 2: Administrative Hearing

You can fight the citation at a Code Enforcement Hearing.

The Process: You appear before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to explain why the violation occurred.
The Risk: If the ALJ rules against you, they can impose the maximum civil penalty per day.

Option 3: Sell “As-Is” (Stop the Daily Fines)

If you are stuck with a tenant you can’t evict because of code violations, selling to a cash buyer is the only way to bypass the District Court bottleneck.

We Buy Baltimore County Houses with Violations.

We Buy “Un-Evictable” Tenants: We buy properties with tenants in place. We assume the responsibility of getting the Rental License and handling the eviction after closing.
We Resolve Rat & Nuisance Liens: If you have a “Red Ribbon” tax lien or mowing charges, we pay them off at the closing table.
We Close Fast: We can close in 14 days, stopping the $200/day civil penalty immediately.

Important Contact Information

Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI)
- Address: 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 216, Towson, MD 21204
- Phone: (410) 887-3351
- Email: paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov
Code Enforcement Hearings (ALJ)
- Address: 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 205, Towson, MD 21204
- Phone: (410) 887-3351

Stop The $200 Daily Fines. Sell Your House Today.

If you are blocked from evicting a tenant or facing a Rat Eradication lien, fill out the form below. We can make you a cash offer that resolves the PAI violations and puts money in your pocket.

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Areas We Serve in Baltimore County

We help homeowners with code violations across the suburbs, including:

Towson
Dundalk
Essex
Catonsville
Owings Mills

More Resources for Baltimore County Homeowners

Looking for a standard sale? Visit our main page for We Buy Houses in Baltimore County.
Inherited a House? Visit our guide on Probate & Inheritance in Baltimore County.
Behind on Taxes? See our guide on Tax Delinquency in Baltimore County.
Facing Eviction? If you have bad tenants, visit our guide on Eviction Process in Baltimore County.
Back to Main Guide: Return to our overview on Code Violations & Red Tags.

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice regarding Code Enforcement hearings or eviction law. We recommend consulting with a Maryland attorney for legal representation.