What blight tickets are
Detroit writes blight tickets for property-maintenance problems: tall grass, trash, an unsecured vacant building, a failing roof or porch, and more. They're handled by the city's Department of Appeals and Hearings (DAH).
An unpaid judgment goes to collections. If the city cleans up the property itself, the cost of that cleanup is added on top of the fines.
Can you sell with open tickets?
Yes. The title company looks for unpaid tickets and liens before closing, and they're usually paid or settled out of the sale, so you walk away clean. You don't have to pay them first.
Keep in mind that tickets follow the owner, not just the house. The city doesn't dismiss tickets because the house was sold, and an unpaid balance in your name can block your own permits or a blight clearance later. Settling them at closing takes care of that.
Other violations we see
- No rental registration or certificate of compliance on a rented house.
- Open or expired permits from work that was never finished or inspected.
- Dangerous-building or demolition notices. Reach out quickly: these have deadlines.
We buy with all of these. The work they need is priced into the offer, and you don't fix anything before closing.
How it works with us
- Send the address and any letters or tickets you've received.
- We look up what's on record, walk the house once and send a written cash offer.
- A licensed title company settles the tickets and any taxes at closing and pays you the rest.
Quick answers
Can I sell my Detroit house if it has blight tickets?
Yes. Unpaid tickets are usually paid or settled from the sale at closing by the title company. You don't have to pay them before selling.
Do blight tickets go away when I sell the house?
Not on their own. Tickets follow the owner, so the city won't drop them just because the house sold. Settling them at closing clears them.