Can I Sell My House in Detroit with Open Blight Tickets?
Category: Real Estate Transactions
Common Question: "Do blight tickets follow the property or the owner?"
Many investors assume that because a Civil Infraction is written against a person (or LLC), they can sell the property and the debt stays with them personally, allowing the deal to close.
In Detroit, that is only half true—and the false half will kill your deal.
The "Cloud on Title"
While the debt is personal, the City of Detroit has the authority under State Law (MCL 117.4r) to place a Lien on the property for unpaid blight judgments.
- Result: When your buyer's Title Company runs a search, they will find the judgment.
- The Fix: They will require the judgment to be paid in full from the seller's proceeds at closing.
The "Blight Clearance" Blockade
Even if there is no lien yet, the Buyer is at risk. If the buyer tries to pull a building permit or apply for a rental registration after closing, BSEED will run a Blight Clearance Check.
- The system may flag the property as having "Outstanding Judgments" attached to its history.
- The new owner will be blocked from permits until the old owner's debt is cleared.
Smart Buyers know this. Sophisticated investors will demand a "Clear Blight Report" before making an offer.
Question: What about Land Bank Compliance?
If you purchased a home from the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA), you absolutely cannot sell it until you have achieved compliance. The DLBA places a "Lis Pendens" on the title that prevents transfer until the Compliance Agreement is satisfied. Unpaid blight tickets are a violation of that agreement.
Summary: You cannot run from the debt. It sits on the title until paid.