Prince George’s County is rejecting the recordation of land instruments where there are unresolved building citations and construction permit violations. This situation occurs most often with property investors who purchase a property, perform renovations and then sell quickly. While this situation may occur most often with property investors, unresolved building citations can exist on any property. The County claims a lien on properties for unresolved citations and permit violations even though zero dollars is listed as the amount owed. These claimed liens have caught many real estate closers by surprise because the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) does not record its citations or permit violations among the Land Records. These claimed liens can be found on the County’s website for property taxes: http://taxinquiry.princegeorgescountymd.gov/. A real estate closing is not complete until the land records are recorded. Before accepting land instruments for recordation, the County has insisted on the resolution of the building citations and construction permit violations, which can include grading or regrading a property, developing or adjusting a stormwater management plan, correcting structural or mechanical issues, and fixing any other deficiency noted in a citation. Extensive construction repairs can be required. Real estate closers are Land-Title Professionals, who are typically not equipped to correct building or construction issues. Real estate closers are urged to search the County’s website on the day of closing and then save those results to document your file. Once done, closers are urged to submit the land instruments for recordation as quickly as possible.
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