If you’re buying a home in Florida, a clear title might not be enough to ensure a clean transaction. Many financial obligations tied to a property are not recorded in public land records and won’t appear in a standard title search. This is where a municipal lien search becomes essential.
A proper municipal lien search uncovers five key types of hidden liabilities that can affect your investment long after closing. Here’s what they are and why they matter.
1. Utility Balances
Unpaid water, sewer, or trash bills don’t always follow the account holder. In many Florida municipalities, if a seller has outstanding utility bills, the city or utility provider may place a lien against the property or refuse to turn on services until the balance is paid.
This can cause problems for the buyer, who may be forced to settle someone else’s unpaid bill just to get access to basic services.
2. Code Enforcement Violations
Local governments in Florida issue code violations when a property doesn’t comply with local ordinances. This could include overgrown grass, unpermitted structures, or improper waste disposal.
If the issue goes unresolved, the city can impose daily fines that quietly accrue. These fines may become a lien on the property, and even if the violation is years old, the new owner could still be responsible.
3. Open or Expired Building Permits
Many homeowners are unaware that open or expired permits can complicate a real estate transaction. If a previous owner started work, such as a room addition or roof replacement, but never completed inspections, the permit remains open.
That means the work was never officially approved and may not meet code. As the new owner, you may have to complete the process or fix the work yourself, often at significant cost.
4. Special Assessments
Florida cities and utility authorities often levy special assessments to fund local improvements like road paving or sewer upgrades. These assessments are usually paid over time and added to property tax or utility bills.
If the seller has not paid their portion or if a new assessment has been approved but not yet billed, you could be on the hook after closing.
5. Unpaid Stormwater or Solid Waste Fees
These fees help fund essential local services like drainage maintenance and garbage collection. Because they’re often managed by separate departments, they may not appear in public records.
Unpaid fees can lead to disruptions in service or result in liens against the property that the new owner inherits.
Get Peace of Mind Before You Close
These five issues are easy to overlook but costly to ignore. PropLogix offers municipal lien searches that uncover hidden debts and property issues before they become your responsibility.
Our team works directly with local departments across Florida to deliver accurate, timely results so you can close with confidence.
Photo by Matteo Grassi
