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New Seller Disclosure Form

by Natalie on July 8, 2009

There are a number of changes to the seller information disclosure form that go into effect later this month.  Thanks to Jim Reppond, TheSeattleSpecialist.com with his latest blog post that reminded me of these changes passed by our legislature.  Many agents don’t realize that the dislosure form IS the law.  Our NWMLS that provides us with forms does not write this form as it is written by our legislators in Olympia. This is a summary of the changes from the House Bill.

Title, Water, Structural, Systems and Fixtures.

  • Rather than asking whether there are any covenants, conditions, or restrictions which affect the property, the question asks whether there are any recorded against the title.
  • A question is added about defects in the operation of the water system. Rather than asking whether the roof has ever leaked, the question asks whether the roof has leaked within the last five years.
  • A question is added about whether the property has a wood stove, fireplace insert, pellet stove, or fireplace and whether the wood stove or fireplace inserts are certified as clean burning appliances to improve air quality and public health by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental.

  • A question is modified to ask whether there is any flooding, standing water, or drainage problems that affect the property or access to the property.
  • A question is modified to ask about dirt, waste, or other fill material on the property.
  • The question related to transmission poles is changed to ask whether there are transmission poles or other electrical utility equipment installed, maintained, or buried on the property that do not provide utility service to the structures on the property.
  • The question related to radio towers is modified to ask for information about those that cause interference with cellular telephone reception.

For Unimproved property, the form has also been changed.  It does exclude Timber Land and there have been some other changes.  See the form.

House Bill 1420  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House%20Final/1420-S%20HBR%20FBR%2009.pdf