“How Do Hospital Liens Affect Selling a House in Washington?“
Hospital bills are one of the most common sources of debt in America — and in Washington State, if you don’t pay, that debt could attach to your property. This is called a hospital lien, and it can quietly cloud your title, delay a home sale, or even lead to foreclosure in extreme cases.
For homeowners trying to sell a house fast, these liens can become a major obstacle — especially if you’re unaware they exist until escrow.
In this post, we’ll break down how hospital liens work in Washington, how they impact your ability to sell a home, and what steps you can take to resolve or work around them.
What Is a Hospital Lien in Washington State?
A hospital lien is a legal claim a medical provider places on your property when you owe them unpaid bills. It allows the hospital to secure repayment from any future home sale proceeds.
In Washington, this type of lien can be filed by:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Emergency services providers
- Medical specialists who treated you
These liens don’t usually result in immediate foreclosure. But they do attach to your home’s title, and must be paid or released before a sale can close.
When Can a Hospital File a Lien Against Your Property?
Under Washington State law (RCW 60.44), medical providers may place a lien on your property if:
- You received treatment at a licensed medical facility
- You failed to pay for services
- The provider follows proper procedures and files the lien correctly
The hospital typically has 90 days after discharge to file the lien with the county auditor’s office.
Once recorded, the lien becomes a public record and is discoverable in any title search — especially when you try to refinance or sell.
How Do Hospital Liens Affect Selling a House in Washington?
If your house has a hospital lien, here’s what could happen:
- Buyers back out: Most buyers don’t want to deal with unresolved title issues.
- Lenders reject financing: Title insurance won’t issue policies with active liens.
- Escrow gets delayed: You can’t close until the lien is satisfied or removed.
- Proceeds are reduced: The lien amount is paid out of your profits at closing.
In some cases, if your equity is low, you might not be able to sell without bringing cash to the table — unless you work with an investor or cash home buyer.
Can You Sell a Home With a Hospital Lien on It?
Yes — but you’ll need to deal with the lien before or during the transaction. Here are your options:
1. Pay Off the Lien Before Closing
If the debt is manageable and you have the funds, this is the cleanest option. Once paid, the hospital must file a release of lien.
2. Negotiate a Settlement
Medical providers are sometimes willing to:
- Accept a lower lump sum
- Waive interest or fees
- Remove the lien in exchange for partial payment
This can be a great way to move forward if the debt is large but you have some ability to pay.
3. Include the Lien in the Closing Process
During closing, your escrow company can pay the hospital directly from your home sale proceeds. This is common — but it only works if you have enough equity to cover the lien.
4. Sell to a Cash Buyer Willing to Absorb the Lien
If none of the above options are feasible, a professional cash home buyer like REI Branded Home Buyer can evaluate the property and make a fast cash offer — even with the lien in place.
Why Hospital Liens Catch Washington Homeowners Off Guard
Hospital liens often come as a surprise for several reasons:
- No formal court action is required to file one
- They may be filed under a different name (such as the parent company of the hospital)
- You might have assumed insurance paid the bill
- You’ve moved or lost touch with the hospital’s billing department
By the time you discover the lien — often during escrow — it may already be hurting your sale timeline.
How Long Do Hospital Liens Last in Washington?
In Washington, most hospital liens stay on record for eight years unless they are:
- Paid in full
- Officially released by the hospital
- Discharged through bankruptcy or legal dispute
That’s nearly a decade of title complications, credit reporting issues, and financial stress.
Your Best Option: Sell Fast and Eliminate the Debt
If you’re dealing with a lien from Sacred Heart in Spokane, Harborview in Seattle, or any medical provider in Washington, REI Branded Home Buyer may be able to help you:
- Avoid foreclosure
- Sell without delays
- Eliminate the lien at closing
- Get cash fast for life changes, relocation, or medical hardship
We provide easy home buyer solutions to people in tough financial situations. We’re not here to judge — just to help.
Our Process: How We Handle Hospital Liens for Home Sellers
- Contact us for a no-obligation cash offer
- We conduct a title search to confirm the lien
- We contact the hospital on your behalf (if needed)
- We make a fair offer based on the property’s value and lien amount
- We close fast — often in 10–14 days
You walk away with cash, and we take care of the paperwork.
FAQ: Hospital Liens on Property in Washington
Q: Can a hospital really take my house in Washington?
A: They typically don’t foreclose, but they can place a lien that prevents you from selling or refinancing.
Q: What if I didn’t know there was a lien?
A: It’s common. We recommend ordering a title report before listing your home, or working with a buyer who will do it for you.
Q: Can I remove the lien without paying the full amount?
A: Sometimes. Hospitals may accept settlements — especially if you’re selling the home to pay the bill.
Q: Will bankruptcy remove a hospital lien?
A: Possibly, but not always. Medical debt may be discharged, but property liens sometimes survive bankruptcy proceedings.
Q: Can REI Branded Home Buyer buy my house with a lien?
A: Yes. We buy houses fast in Washington with all types of liens, including hospital, tax, and HOA-related liens.
Ready to Sell a House With a Hospital Lien in Washington? We’re Here to Help.
You don’t have to let medical debt derail your future. If you’re facing a lien from unpaid hospital bills, REI Branded Home Buyer can help you sell fast — even with title complications.
📞 Call us now at 509-769-3439 or visit our website to get started. Let’s work together to eliminate the stress and help you move forward with confidence.
Sell Your Washington House Fast Today
About REI Branded Home Buyer
Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.