Dave Kirwin is licensed to perform Truth-in-Housing inspections in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Truth-in-Housing inspections are meant to inform the buyer and seller of a home, prior to the sale, of any major structural defects or hazards to the health and safety of the occupants.

Truth-in-Housing inspections often identify repairs that are required based on city ordinance. When we perform your Truth-in-Housing inspection, we will show you what items are “required repairs.” If you choose to make the repairs, we will come back at a later date to re-inspect the repairs. Or, if you decide to simply sell the home as-is, you are done. We will then file the report with the city, and the buyers will be required to make the repairs after they are in the home.

The Truth-in-Housing inspection process and requirements vary for each locality. For a brief overview of Truth-in-Housing inspection requirements in our area, see below.

Minneapolis

Sellers of single- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in the City of Minneapolis must provide either a Truth-in-Housing Disclosure Report or a Certificate of Code Compliance to the purchaser prior to time of signing a purchase agreement. Sales of condos and new units are exempt. The Disclosure Report must be prepared by a certified Truth-in-Housing evaluator, generally hired by the seller.

Minneapolis ordinance requires the repair or replacement of certain items declared as health or safety hazards by the Truth-in-Housing evaluator.

The Disclosure Report, the Certificate of Code Compliance, or the orders resulting from a code compliance inspection must be available for inspection at the premises at all times when the dwelling is being offered for sale. A new Disclosure Report, Certificate, or orders resulting from a code compliance inspection are required for each change of ownership at the time of sale.

More information is available on the City of Minneapolis Truth-in-Housing website.

Here is a short video I have put together showing the most common required repairs in Minneapolis:

St. Paul

In St. Paul, single- and two-family dwellings, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops require a Truth-In-Sale of Housing Disclosure Report whenever there is an intended change in ownership. A Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluation must be completed within three (3) calendar days of a dwelling being offered, listed or posted for sale.

The Disclosure Report may only be compiled by an independent evaluator who is tested and licensed by the City. The Disclosure Report is valid for one (1) year from the date on the report and is only valid for the owner named on the report. Prospective buyers may also seek addition opinions from various experts in the inspections field prior to purchase.

Failure to obtain a Disclosure Report before marketing a house for sale, or failure to make the Disclosure Report available to prospective buyers, is a violation of law and is punishable as a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and/or a $700.00 fine.

More information is available on the City of St. Paul Truth-in-Housing website.