Selling a House in Sunnyvale

Dallas County offices, at a glance

Sunnyvale had 8,839 residents in the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate, and Dallas County is the only county the Census lists for the town. Here is who handles each county piece of a sale:

You need	Office	Details
The appraised value, an exemption record, or a protest	Dallas Central Appraisal District	Serves the 61 local governing bodies in the county; homestead filing is free; informal review and uFILE online protest. Under Tax Code section 41.44, the written notice of protest is filed with the appraisal review board, not the district.
Your tax balance	Dallas County Tax Office	Lists Sunnyvale among the cities it collects for under contract, and Sunnyvale ISD among the school districts. 500 Elm Street, Suite 3300; (214) 653-7811.
Your deed, or a lien release	County Clerk, Recording Division	Records deeds, liens and releases; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; (214) 653-7099.

Rented houses: registration and a certificate between tenants

Sunnyvale regulates single-family rentals in Article 4.16 of its code, Single-Family Rental Properties, adopted by Ordinance 12-22. If the house you want to sell has been rented, these sections apply:

• Registration first. Section 4.16.003 says no one may occupy, or let another person occupy, a residential rental property in the town until its registration has been completed and filed with the department of building inspections.
• A certificate between tenants. Under section 4.16.004, when a tenant moves out, the owner must apply for and receive a certificate of occupancy from the building official before a new tenant moves in. The inspection checks the unit against the town code, the International Property Maintenance Code and the building codes, and the building official may prohibit occupancy until deficiencies are corrected.
• Every change of tenancy. Section 4.16.005 requires an inspection on any change of tenancy for dwellings rented to permanent residents.
• Penalty. Section 4.16.007 makes a violation a misdemeanor, and each day it continues is a separate offense.

For a seller, the practical point is timing. If the last tenant has left and the house has not been re-inspected, a buyer who plans to rent it out will need that certificate before a new tenant moves in.

If a tenant will not move out

When a tenant is still in the house and will not leave, Texas law gives eviction suits to the justice court in the precinct where the property sits (Property Code section 24.004), and section 24.0041 says the suit must be brought in that precinct. Dallas County's Justice of the Peace page explains that its JP districts match its constable precincts and links a map for finding your district. Selling with a tenant in place is another route; our post on vacant rental risks covers the months between tenants.

The water bill stays with the owner

Article 12.03 of the code, Waterworks Operation and Service Regulations, ties the water account to the owner in several ways:

1. Section 12.03.016 makes owners of property served by the town's water liable for all water charges regardless of occupancy. The town promptly notifies an owner of delinquent charges billed to a non-owner occupant, but a missed notice does not cancel the owner's liability.
2. The same section requires the owner to tell the town about any change of occupancy within seventy-two hours.
3. Section 12.03.014 says charges keep accruing against the applicant until a written notice to discontinue service is filed with the town.
4. Section 12.03.017 bars service to anyone delinquent on a water bill for that premises or any other premises in the town.

Before you list, ask the town for the account balance, and when a tenant moves out, give the change-of-occupancy notice in writing. Our page on utilities in a vacant house lists who to call for each service.

How Cash Home Advisors can help

Cash Home Advisors buys houses in Sunnyvale. You can sell as-is without making repairs, we pay all closing costs, and we can close in 7–14 days. Request an offer through the form, read how it works, or see our guide to selling a vacant house.

Local offices for this area

• Dallas Central Appraisal District
• Dallas County Tax Office (jurisdictions it collects for)
• Dallas County Clerk, Recording Division
• Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts
• Sunnyvale Code: Single-Family Rental Properties (Art. 4.16)
• Sunnyvale Code: Waterworks Operation and Service Regulations (Art. 12.03)

ZIP codes we buy in: 75182