Is it legal to use public records for marketing to property owners?
Reading public property records is generally legal. The rules apply to how you contact owners: calls and texts (TCPA and the Do Not Call list), e-mail (CAN-SPAM), mail, and some state laws on wholesaling and on protected people. This is a plain summary, not legal advice. Ask a real estate attorney in your state.
Looking up records
Deeds, tax bills, assessor files and court indexes are public so that anyone can read them. Using them to research properties is normal and lawful. LeadCounty collects only public records and does not sell phone numbers, e-mail addresses or consumer reports.
Mailing letters or postcards to the owner's address of record is the most common and the least regulated way to contact an owner. Be truthful about who you are, do not pretend to be a lender or a government office, and respect people who ask to stop.
Calls and texts
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) limits automatic dialers, pre-recorded messages and texts, and the National Do Not Call Registry covers many phone numbers. Many states add their own telemarketing rules and call-time limits. Check each number against the registries before you call, and get legal advice before you use automated dialing or text blasts.
The CAN-SPAM Act requires a real sender name, a postal address and a working way to unsubscribe in commercial e-mail, and you must honor opt-outs quickly.
Things the data must not be used for
Property data from LeadCounty is not a consumer report. It must not be used to decide credit, insurance, employment, tenant screening or housing eligibility (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Housing laws also forbid treating people differently because of race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, family status or other protected traits.
State rules for wholesalers
Some states regulate selling a contract you do not own. For example, our state pages note rules in Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Ohio about licensing or disclosure when you assign a purchase contract. Rules change and are argued over, so read the current text for your state on our wholesaling rules page and ask a local attorney.
Protected people
Some states let judges, police officers and other protected people ask that their home address not be published. New Jersey's Daniel's Law is an example. LeadCounty has a removal form for these requests, and customers must follow the same laws in how they use exports.
Questions
Do I need a license to use these lists?
Not to read or buy lists. Whether you need a real estate license to market or sell contracts depends on your state and on what you do with the leads. Ask a local attorney.
Can I text the owners on a list?
Only if the rules allow it for that number and your method. Texts to mobile phones are covered by the TCPA, and many numbers are on the Do Not Call list. Get legal advice before you start.
Does LeadCounty give me phone numbers?
No. LeadCounty sells public property records and the tools to work them. Owners' mailing addresses come from the county record.
How we make these guides
Written by the LeadCounty editorial and data team from official county, court and state sources and our own weekly counts. We name the office behind every number, say what we cannot see, and fix mistakes when you tell us. See our editorial standards and methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice. Refreshed weekly.
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