Resources
Official resources for San Diego County homeowners.
Only government sources and established non-profits, with what each one does and when a seller would use it. No paid directories.
Property taxes and assessment
Where San Diego County assessed values, exclusions, appeals, and tax bills actually live.
- San Diego County Assessor / Recorder / County Clerk
Sets assessed values, processes the homeowners' exemption and Prop 19 parent-child and base-year-value transfer claims, and records deeds and liens.
When: To check assessed value, file a Prop 19 exclusion after an inheritance, request a decline-in-value review, or search recorded documents against a property.
- San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Bills and collects property taxes; shows balances, delinquency, redemption amounts, installment plans, and the tax-sale list.
When: To see exactly what's owed including penalties, open a five-year redemption plan, or confirm whether a parcel is scheduled for tax sale.
- San Diego County Assessment Appeals Board
Hears appeals of assessed value, including after a reassessment on inheritance or purchase.
When: If you believe the Assessor's value is above market value; filing windows are limited each year.
- California State Controller — Property Tax Postponement
Lets eligible seniors and disabled homeowners defer current property taxes on their primary residence.
When: If you're 62+ or disabled, own and live in the home, and meet the equity and income limits.
Probate, courts, and legal help
Where estates are administered, and where to find free or low-cost legal help in San Diego County.
- San Diego Superior Court — Probate
Handles probate of wills and estates, trust petitions, conservatorships, and small-estate petitions for San Diego County.
When: To open a probate, check a case, find forms, or use the court's self-help resources.
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents, including housing, foreclosure, and tenant matters.
When: If you can't afford an attorney and face foreclosure, a landlord-tenant dispute, or an estate question.
- San Diego County Bar Association — Lawyer Referral
Referrals to screened local attorneys, with a low-cost initial consultation.
When: For probate, real estate, family law, or tenant matters when you need a private attorney.
- California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
Licenses real estate agents and brokers; publishes license lookup and consumer alerts.
When: To verify an agent's or broker's license, or to file a complaint about licensed conduct.
Foreclosure, mortgage help, and housing counseling
Free, official help if you're behind on the mortgage. Beware of anyone who charges up-front fees.
- HUD — Find a Housing Counselor
Directory of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, including several in San Diego County, that help with foreclosure prevention for free.
When: As soon as you miss a payment or receive a notice; counselors know current modification and relief programs.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Mortgage help
Plain-language guides to your rights with a mortgage servicer, loss mitigation, and how to file a complaint.
When: If your servicer isn't responding, you're being dual-tracked, or you want to understand the federal 120-day rule.
- California Attorney General — Homeowner Bill of Rights
Explains California's foreclosure protections: no dual tracking, single point of contact, and the right to sue for violations.
When: If you've applied for a modification and the servicer keeps moving toward sale, or to report a foreclosure-rescue scam.
- California Mortgage Relief / Housing is Key
State portal for housing assistance programs, including any active mortgage or property-tax relief.
When: To check whether a state relief program is currently accepting applications.
Landlord-tenant rules
State and local rules that affect selling an occupied property south of I-8.
- City of San Diego — Tenant Protection Ordinance
The city's just-cause and relocation-assistance rules for rentals inside city limits (Paradise Hills, Encanto, Logan Heights, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa).
When: Before serving any notice to a tenant in a City of San Diego property.
- California Department of Consumer Affairs — Tenant/Landlord Guide
Official guide to California landlord-tenant law, notices, deposits, and the unlawful-detainer process.
When: To understand statewide rules under AB 1482 and what a buyer inherits when you sell occupied.
- San Diego Housing Commission
Administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) in the City of San Diego and publishes landlord resources.
When: If your tenant has a voucher and you're selling; the new owner will need to complete a change-of-ownership with the housing authority.
Permits, code enforcement, and city services
Where to check permit history and open code cases before you sell.
- City of San Diego — Development Services (permits & code enforcement)
Permit history lookup, ADU and garage-conversion rules, and code-enforcement case status for properties inside the city.
When: To find out whether an addition was permitted, or what an open case requires.
- City of Chula Vista — Development Services
Building permits, ADU program, and code enforcement for Chula Vista.
When: For any property with a Chula Vista address (ZIPs 91910–91915).
- City of National City — Building & Code Enforcement
Permits and code enforcement for National City (91950).
When: To check permits or resolve a notice on a National City property.
- San Diego County Planning & Development Services (unincorporated areas)
Permits and code compliance for unincorporated communities such as Spring Valley and Bonita.
When: If the property is outside city limits — Spring Valley, Bonita, and parts of the South Bay are county jurisdiction.
Scams and consumer protection
Where to report a “we buy houses” scam, deed theft, or foreclosure-rescue fraud.
- California Attorney General — File a complaint
Consumer complaints about businesses, including real estate and mortgage-relief scams.
When: If a buyer or “consultant” pressured you, took fees up front, or recorded documents against your title without your understanding.
- Federal Trade Commission — Report fraud
Federal fraud reporting, including mortgage-relief and home-sale scams.
When: For any scam involving your home or mortgage; reports feed law-enforcement databases.
- National Do Not Call Registry
Register your number to reduce unsolicited sales calls, and report violators.
When: If you're getting constant “we buy houses” calls and texts.
Links are reviewed periodically but government sites change. If one is broken, email hello@micasainvestmentgroup.com. All guides →
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