Many cities add daily or monthly fines until the violation is fixed, and some place liens on the property.
Investor play · Code violations
Code violation leads: owners facing fines on a house they can't fix.
When a city cites a property for overgrown yards, unsafe structures, or unpermitted work, the owner faces fines and deadlines. Many can't or don't want to fix it. Spur turns your city's code enforcement records into enriched owners and a letter offering to take the problem off their hands.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Ann Dawson9120 Metcalf AveOverland Park, KS 66212Scan for an as-is offer
Ann D. scanned your postcard · 11 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
City recordsuploaded and matched to owners
Absenteeand vacant stacked for stronger leads
As-isoffers that take the repairs off their plate
The problem
Code violations create deadlines owners can't meet.
Absentee owners and heirs may not even know the notice was posted until fines arrive.
Code enforcement records list addresses and violations, not owners' contact details.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from city records to an as-is purchase.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A code violation list in Spur
Sample properties from open code enforcement cases, matched to owners. Names are partly masked.
Kansas City, MOOpen code cases (uploaded)Absentee or vacant
- Ann D.3104 Gillham RdOwner in Overland ParkOvergrowthVacant
- Heirs of J. Cole5520 Troost AveHeir in St. LouisRoof damage
- Leon & Pat S.8920 Holmes RdOwner in Tulsa, OKUnsecured structure
- Roger B.7745 Paseo BlvdOwner in Denver, COTrash and debris
- Marcy T.2318 E 35th StOwner-occupiedExterior paint
AI draft for Ann D. · 3104 Gillham Rd
Hi Ann,
I'm a local investor, and I'm writing about the house at 3104 Gillham Road. City records show an open code enforcement case on the property, and I know those notices and deadlines can be stressful, especially from a distance.
If you'd rather not take on the repairs, I can buy the house as-is. After closing, I'd handle the work and the city myself. We can close on your timeline, and you wouldn't need to clean anything out.
Scan the code for a no-obligation offer, or call me. If you've already got it handled, I hope the reminder helps.
Derek Franklin · (816) 555-0164
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to work code violation leads
Cities cite properties for issues like overgrown yards, accumulated debris, unsafe structures, unpermitted work, and broken windows. The owner typically gets a notice and a deadline to fix the problem, and unresolved violations can lead to fines, hearings, and in some cities liens on the property.
Many owners with open violations are absentee owners, heirs, or people without the time or money to make repairs. For them, selling as-is to someone who will handle the work is a real relief. That makes code violation records one of the more motivated lead sources.
Code enforcement records are public in most cities, available online or by records request. They usually list the address and type of violation but not the owner's contact information, so match each address to property records and enrich the owner. Stack with vacancy and absentee ownership to find the best leads.
Be specific but not alarming. Mention the open case plainly, offer to take on the repairs, and never make your letter look like a city notice. Check with the city about how violations and any fines are handled when ownership transfers, so you can price the deal correctly.
25×return on a year of Spur Team from one $15,000 deal
One code violation deal funds the campaign.
- Spur Team: $588/yr billed annually
- 200 cases × 3 postcards = 600 at $1.09 = $654
- One $15,000 deal = 25× your subscription
Example math. Repair costs and fines vary by property and city. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual code violation workflow
What you needThe usual waySpur
Code enforcement listRecords request, then a spreadsheet✓ Built in
Owner name and addressManual property lookups✓ Built in
Owner contact detailsSeparate skip tracing✓ Built in
As-is offer letterGeneric template✓ Built in
Follow-up before deadlinesManual✓ Built in
FAQ
Code violation lead questions
How do I get code violation lists?
Most cities publish code enforcement cases online or provide them through a public records request. Upload them to Spur to match addresses to owners.
Are code violation owners motivated sellers?
Often, especially absentee owners and heirs facing repair deadlines and fines they can't easily handle.
What happens to violations when the property sells?
It depends on the city. Some violations and fines stay with the property and some with the owner. Ask the city before you price the deal.
Should my letter mention the violation?
Yes, plainly. Offer to handle the repairs, and never make the letter look like an official city notice.
Which violations make the best leads?
Structural, roof, and unsecured-property violations on vacant or absentee-owned homes tend to be the most motivated.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
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Take the repair list off the owner's plate.
Upload your city's code cases, enrich the owners, and send your first as-is offer today.
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