HOUSE BILL No. 5688

 

February 6, 2008, Introduced by Reps. Miller, Vagnozzi, Constan, Donigan, Meisner, Espinoza, LeBlanc, Kathleen Law, Jackson, Condino, Hammon, Gonzales and Wenke and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

 

      A bill to amend 1993 PA 92, entitled

 

"Seller disclosure act,"

 

by amending section 7 (MCL 565.957), as amended by 2005 PA 163.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

 1        Sec. 7. (1) The disclosures required by this act shall be

 

 2  made on the following form:

 

 

                  SELLER'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

 

4  Property Address:        __________________________________________

                                          Street

                         _________________________________ Michigan

                              City, Village, or Township

 

 

 8        Purpose of Statement: This statement is a disclosure of the

 

 9  condition of the property in compliance with the seller

 

10  disclosure act. This statement is a disclosure of the condition


 

 1  and information concerning the property, known by the seller.

 

 2  Unless otherwise advised, the seller does not possess any

 

 3  expertise in construction, architecture, engineering, or any

 

 4  other specific area related to the construction or condition of

 

 5  the improvements on the property or the land. Also, unless

 

 6  otherwise advised, the seller has not conducted any inspection of

 

 7  generally inaccessible areas such as the foundation or roof. This

 

 8  statement is not a warranty of any kind by the seller or by any

 

 9  agent representing the seller in this transaction, and is not a

 

10  substitute for any inspections or warranties the buyer may wish

 

11  to obtain.

 

12        Seller's Disclosure: The seller discloses the following

 

13  information with the knowledge that even though this is not a

 

14  warranty, the seller specifically makes the following

 

15  representations based on the seller's knowledge at the signing of

 

16  this document. Upon receiving this statement from the seller, the

 

17  seller's agent is required to provide a copy to the buyer or the

 

18  agent of the buyer. The seller authorizes its agent(s) to provide

 

19  a copy of this statement to any prospective buyer in connection

 

20  with any actual or anticipated sale of property. The following

 

21  are representations made solely by the seller and are not the

 

22  representations of the seller's agent(s), if any. THIS

 

23  INFORMATION IS A DISCLOSURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A PART

 

24  OF ANY CONTRACT BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER.

 

25        Instructions to the Seller: (1) Answer ALL questions. (2)

 

26  Report known conditions affecting the property. (3) Attach

 

27  additional pages with your signature if additional space is


 

 1  required. (4) Complete this form yourself. (5) If some items do

 

 2  not apply to your property, check NOT AVAILABLE. If you do not

 

 3  know the facts, check UNKNOWN. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A PURCHASER

 

 4  WITH A SIGNED DISCLOSURE STATEMENT WILL ENABLE A PURCHASER TO

 

 5  TERMINATE AN OTHERWISE BINDING PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

 

 

6  Appliances/Systems/Services: The items below are in working order

(the items below are included in the sale of the property only if

the purchase agreement so provides):

 

                                                             Not

10                              Yes     No       Unknown    Available

11 Range/Oven                   ____  ____        ____        ____

12 Dishwasher                   ____  ____        ____        ____

13 Refrigerator                 ____  ____        ____        ____

14 Hood/fan                     ____  ____        ____        ____

15 Disposal                     ____  ____        ____        ____

16 TV antenna, TV rotor                                      

17    & controls                ____  ____        ____        ____

18 Electrical system            ____  ____        ____        ____

19 Garage door opener &                                      

20    remote control            ____  ____        ____        ____

21 Alarm system                 ____  ____        ____        ____

22 Intercom                     ____  ____        ____        ____

23 Central vacuum               ____  ____        ____        ____

24 Attic fan                    ____  ____        ____        ____

25 Pool heater, wall                                         

26    liner & equipment         ____  ____        ____        ____

27 Microwave                    ____  ____        ____        ____

28 Trash compactor              ____  ____        ____        ____


Ceiling fan                  ____  ____        ____        ____

Sauna/hot tub                ____  ____        ____        ____

Washer                       ____  ____        ____        ____

Dryer                        ____  ____        ____        ____

Lawn sprinkler system        ____  ____        ____        ____

Water heater                 ____  ____        ____        ____

Plumbing system              ____  ____        ____        ____

Water                                                     

   softener/conditioner      ____  ____        ____        ____

10 Well & pump                  ____  ____        ____        ____

11 Septic tank & drain                                       

12    field                     ____  ____        ____        ____

13 Sump pump                    ____  ____        ____        ____

14 City Water System            ____  ____        ____        ____

15 City Sewer System            ____  ____        ____       ____

16 Central air                                               

17    conditioning              ____  ____        ____        ____

18 Central heating system       ____  ____        ____        ____

19 Wall furnace                 ____  ____        ____        ____

20 Humidifier                   ____  ____        ____        ____

21 Electronic air filter        ____  ____        ____        ____

22 Solar heating system         ____  ____        ____        ____

23 Fireplace & chimney          ____  ____        ____        ____

24 Wood burning system          ____  ____        ____        ____

 

25 Explanations (attach additional sheets if necessary):

26 _______________________________________________________________

27 _______________________________________________________________

28 _______________________________________________________________

29 _______________________________________________________________

30 _______________________________________________________________

31 UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED, ALL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES ARE SOLD IN


WORKING ORDER EXCEPT AS NOTED, WITHOUT WARRANTY BEYOND DATE OF

CLOSING.

 

3  Property conditions, improvements & additional information:

4  1.  Basement/crawl space: Has there been evidence of water?

                                                   yes____  no____

    If yes, please explain: _____________________________________

7  2.  Insulation: Describe, if known ______________________________

    Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) is installed?

                                       unknown____ yes____  no____

10 3.  Roof: Leaks?                                   yes____  no____

11     Approximate age if known ____________________________________

12 4.  Well: Type of well (depth/diameter, age,  and repair history,

13     if known):  __________________________________________________

14     Has the water been tested?                     yes____  no____

15     If yes, date of last report/results:  ________________________

16 5.  Septic tanks/drain fields: Condition, if known: _____________

17     _____________________________________________________________

18 6.  Heating System: Type/approximate age:  _______________________

19 7.  Plumbing system: Type: copper___  galvanized___ other___

20     Any known problems? _________________________________________

21 8.  Electrical system: Any known problems?  ______________________

22     _____________________________________________________________

23 9.  History of infestation, if any: (termites,  carpenter ants,

24     etc.) _______________________________________________________

25 10. Environmental Problems: Are you aware of any substances,

26     materials, or products that may be an environmental hazard

27     such as, but not limited to, asbestos, radon gas,

28     formaldehyde, lead-based paint, fuel or chemical storage

29     tanks and contaminated soil on the property.

30                                           unknown___ yes___  no___

31     If yes, please explain:  _____________________________________


    _____________________________________________________________

2  11. Flood insurance: Do you have flood insurance on the

    property?                             unknown ___yes ___no___

4  12. Mineral rights: Do you own the mineral rights?

                                          unknown___ yes___  no___

6  Other Items: Are you aware of any of the following:

1. Features of the property shared in common with the adjoining

    landowners, such as walls, fences, roads and driveways, or

    other features whose use or responsibility for maintenance

10     may have an effect on the property?

11                                           unknown___ yes___  no___

12 2. Any encroachments, easements, zoning violations, or

13     nonconforming uses?                   unknown___ yes___  no___

14 3. Any "common areas" (facilities like pools,  tennis courts,

15     walkways, or other areas co-owned with others), or a

16     homeowners' association that has any authority over the

17     property?                             unknown___ yes___  no___

18 4. Structural modifications, alterations, or repairs made

19     without necessary permits or licensed contractors?

20                                           unknown___ yes___  no___

21 5. Settling, flooding, drainage, structural, or grading

22     problems?                             unknown___ yes___  no___

23 6. Major damage to the property from fire, wind, floods,  or

24     landslides?                           unknown___ yes___  no___

25 7. Any underground storage tanks?        unknown___ yes___  no___

26 8. Farm or farm operation in the vicinity; or proximity

27     to a landfill, airport, shooting range, etc.?

28                                           unknown___ yes___  no___

29 9. Any outstanding utility assessments or fees, including

30     any natural gas main extension surcharge?

31                                           unknown___ yes___  no___


10. Any outstanding municipal assessments or fees?

                                          unknown___ yes___  no___

11. Any pending litigation that could affect the property

    or the seller's right to convey the property?

                                          unknown___ yes___  no___

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, please explain.

Attach additional sheets, if necessary:__________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

10 _________________________________________________________________

11 _________________________________________________________________

 

12 The seller has lived in the residence on the property from

13 _________________ (date) to _________________ (date). The seller

14 has owned the property since ___________________ (date).  The

15 seller has indicated above the condition of all the items based

16 on information known to the seller. If any changes occur in the

17 structural/mechanical/appliance systems of this property from the

18 date of this form to the date of closing, seller will immediately

19 disclose the changes to buyer. In no event shall the parties hold

20 the broker liable for any representations not directly made by the

21 broker or broker's agent.

22 Seller certifies that the information in this statement is true

23 and correct to the best of seller's knowledge as of the date of

24 seller's signature.

 

25        BUYER SHOULD OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND INSPECTIONS

26        OF THE PROPERTY TO MORE FULLY DETERMINE THE CONDITION

27        OF THE PROPERTY. THESE INSPECTIONS SHOULD TAKE INDOOR

28        AIR AND WATER QUALITY INTO ACCOUNT, AS WELL AS ANY

29        EVIDENCE OF UNUSUALLY HIGH LEVELS OF POTENTIAL ALLERGENS

30        INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, HOUSEHOLD MOLD, MILDEW AND


       BACTERIA.

       BUYERS ARE ADVISED THAT CERTAIN INFORMATION COMPILED

       PURSUANT TO THE SEX OFFENDERS REGISTRATION ACT,

       1994 PA 295, MCL 28.721 TO 28.732, IS AVAILABLE TO

       THE PUBLIC. BUYERS SEEKING THAT INFORMATION SHOULD

       CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

       OR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY.

       BUYER IS ADVISED THAT THE STATE EQUALIZED VALUE OF THE

       PROPERTY, PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION INFORMATION,

10        AND OTHER REAL PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE

11        FROM THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.

12        BUYER SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT BUYER'S FUTURE TAX BILLS ON

13        THE PROPERTY WILL BE THE SAME AS THE SELLER'S PRESENT TAX

14        BILLS. UNDER MICHIGAN LAW, REAL PROPERTY TAX OBLIGATIONS

15        CAN CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED.

 

16 Seller____________________             Date_______________________

17 Seller____________________             Date_______________________

 

18 Buyer has read and acknowledges receipt of this statement.

19 Buyer_______________  Date________________  Time:_______________

20 Buyer_______________  Date________________  Time:_______________

 

21        BUYER IS ADVISED THAT THE STATE EQUALIZED VALUE OF THE

22        PROPERTY, PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION INFORMATION,

23        AND OTHER REAL PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE

24        FROM THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.

25        BUYER SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT BUYER'S FUTURE TAX BILLS ON

26        THE PROPERTY WILL BE THE SAME AS THE SELLER'S PRESENT TAX

27        BILLS. UNDER MICHIGAN LAW, REAL PROPERTY TAX OBLIGATIONS

28        CAN CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED.

 

29 Buyer has read and acknowledges the statement above.


1  Buyer_______________  Date________________  Time:_______________

2  Buyer_______________  Date________________  Time:_______________

 

 

 3        (2) A form described in subsection (1) printed before

 

 4  January 1, 2006 the effective date of the 2007 amendatory act

 

 5  that amended this section that was in compliance with this

 

 6  section at that time may be utilized and shall be considered in

 

 7  compliance with this section until April 1, 2006 180 days after

 

 8  the effective date of the 2007 amendatory act that amended this

 

 9  section.