New WA State Law: Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required To Sell Owner-Occupied Homes

41HBD0VB2aL._SL500_AA300_A new law regarding carbon monoxide alarms in Washington homes has created many questions about which real estate transactions it affects.  Here’s what you need to know about the requirements:

As of April 1, 2012, sellers of owner occupied single family homes, condos and mobile homes must install carbon monoxide alarms prior to closing.

  • Listing agent needs to let the seller know, at the time of listing, that they will be required to install carbon monoxide alarms.

  • Appraisers will be looking for the alarms and expecting them to be installed before closing.  To eliminate transactional challenges, this is best done prior to the appraisal.  

  • Bank Owned properties will not have to comply as the property is vacant.

  • Short Sale Sellers that are occupying the home will have to install the alarms.

  • The sale of homes built after January 1, 2011 should not be affected as they should already have the alarms installed.  Building code has required them since that date.

Comments

  1. Bahaa Chmait says

    I think this is fantastic and should be mandatory in Canada. I work in the alarm industry and hear so many CO stories. Nice work on this article!

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