Sacramento fines?

[Leyla Simsek]

Being new, I ran into an interesting concern today with a seller that I have never dealt with before; hoping with the experience you have, you could assist me. 

When I asked if there were any liens against the property he was aware of, he said the city of Sacramento fined him for not installing the boards on the windows correctly, and a "monitering fee" each month for about a year. 

He said he was unable to pay them. 

Is this an issue a buyer should run from or just pay the fines for him?