The following information is from the official St. Paul Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) Program web page:
City of Saint Paul
Department of Safety and Inspections, Division of Code Enforcement
Truth-in-Sale of Housing Program
375 Jackson Street
Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 266-8989
Hours 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Closed Weekends & Holidays
Chapter 189 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code requires all single family and duplex homes for sale in the city to have a Truth-in-Sale of
Housing disclosure report prepared and available to prospective buyers.
The city, however, requires only one inspection (report) to be done and available on residential properties for sale. If the owner has a
CURRENT letter of Code Compliance from the Department of Safety and Inspections Vacant Buildings Inspector, or a CURRENT Certificate of
Code Compliance (only on rental properties) from the Saint Paul Fire Marshal’s Office, then this other, CURRENT, document may be used
and made available to prospective buyers in lieu of the Truth-in-Sale of Housing report; either the current Code Compliance or the current
Certificate of Occupancy satisfies the requirements in this Ordinance, Chapter 189. If you use one of these other types of inspection reports,
substitute the name of that report for “Truth-in-Sale of Housing” report throughout this flyer.
For the full text of the ordinance, go to: www.stpaul.gov, go to “Government”, then “Safety and Inspections” to find the page “Truth-in-Sale of
Housing”, then click on the link, Chapter 189 (Truth in Sale of Housing). This Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report must be
conspicuously displayed at the premises for all prospective buyers to see. A valid disclosure report issued under the ordinance shall be
provided to the buyer before or at the time of sale of the dwelling. Disclosure reports shall be prepared and signed only by an independent
evaluator who has been certified as a Truth in Housing evaluator under the ordinance.
Failure to obtain a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report before marketing a house for sale, or failure to make that 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 $1,000.00 fine.
WHAT THE DISCLOSURE REPORT IS NOT:
The report is not a V.A. or FHA appraisal or inspection.
It is not a technically extensive report. It is prepared through a visual inspection and is only a disclosure.
It is not a warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, by the City or the independent evaluator, for any of the building's components or
fixtures. The City does not guarantee or warranty the accuracy of the report.
The Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report does not address formaldehyde, lead paint, any airborne gas (including radon), asbestos,
fiberglass fiber, insect or animal pests, wells or septic tanks. The evaluator is not required to ignite the heating plant, use a ladder to observe
the condition of the roof, evaluate inaccessible or concealed areas, disassemble or remove anything for the evaluation.
A Truth-in-Sale of Housing report cannot grant permission to occupy a registered vacant building, nor does it provide certification that the
dwelling may be rented to tenants.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS A DISCLOSURE REPORT?
This disclosure report is an overview of the building components and fixtures. It is to inform prospective buyers of the observed condition of a
dwelling at the time of the evaluation. The disclosure report is intended to provide basic information to the home buyer and the seller prior to
the time of sale; it is not necessarily detailed information. Prospective buyers may also seek additional opinions from various experts in the
home inspection field prior to purchase.
IS THE CITY GOING TO USE THE REPORT FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT?
A Truth-in-Sale of Housing report is “disclosure only”, EXCEPT that the Fire Marshal’s office will require the installation of at least one hard-
wired smoke detector if there is none in the dwelling at the time of the Truth-in-Sale of Housing inspection. The Code Compliance report
for vacant buildings and the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Fire Marshal require some degree of code compliance and enforcement.
The V.A., FHA, or some other mortgage or finance company may demand certain codes or standards be met before a mortgage is approved;
they have their own standards and while they may be similar, they may not be the same as those noted on the Truth-in-Sale of Housing
disclosure report.
ARE ALL DWELLINGS INCLUDED?
One and two-family dwellings, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops require a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report whenever there is
an intended change of ownership. A Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report must be done for Contract-For-Deed sales.
There are some exceptions to the requirement for a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report. They are:
1. Any newly constructed dwelling when title is transferred to the first owner.
2. The conveyance of title of the dwelling to a public body.
3. A dwelling with a valid Certificate of Code Compliance, or the orders from a Certificate of Code Compliance inspection, as set forth in
Section 33 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code which shall be dated no earlier than one (1) year prior to its usage.
4. The sale or conveyance of any dwelling by a public or court officer in the performance of their official duties. This does not apply to the sale
of a dwelling by a personal representative or guardian appointed by a probate court or a sale ordered by a probate court.
5. Any dwelling or dwelling unit covered by a current Certificate of Occupancy issued by the city fire department’s fire prevention certificate of
occupancy program.
6. The sale of a dwelling to a member of the current owner's immediate family: narrowly defined as one of the linear relationships between a
parent, child, sibling and/or grandparent.
7. The building is going to be demolished within 365 days/1 year.
HOW LONG IS THE DISCLOSURE REPORT VALID?
The report is valid for one (1) year from the date on the report and is valid only for the owner named on the report, and for only one sale.
WHEN SHOULD THE EVALUATION BE DONE?
The ordinance requires an evaluation be done no later than three (3) calendar days after a dwelling is offered, listed or posted for sale. It is the
responsibility of the owner or the owner's agent and/or agent’s broker to comply with these requirements.
HOW DO I CONTACT AN EVALUATOR AND WHAT WILL BE THE COST?
Evaluators are private contractors, not employees of the City. The City maintains a list of licensed Evaluators and provides this list (which
includes telephone numbers for each evaluator) upon request. You may hire an Evaluator through a Realtor or agent as long as the evaluator
you hire is licensed by the City of Saint Paul. The City will not recommend an Evaluator. You may request a list of licensed Evaluators by calling
(651) 266-1900. You may print out a list of Evaluators by going to this website, Internet link: www.stpaul.gov , go to “Government”, then “Safety
and Inspections” to find the page, “Truth-in-Sale of Housing”. The City does not monitor, regulate, guarantee or set the fees charged by
Evaluators.
web page.doc 05/08
Some common St. Paul Truth-in-Housing items rated "H" for Hazardous:
City of Saint Paul
Department of Safety and Inspections, Division of Code Enforcement
Truth-in-Sale of Housing Program
375 Jackson Street
Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 266-8989
Hours 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Closed Weekends & Holidays
Chapter 189 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code requires all single family and duplex homes for sale in the city to have a Truth-in-Sale of
Housing disclosure report prepared and available to prospective buyers.
The city, however, requires only one inspection (report) to be done and available on residential properties for sale. If the owner has a
CURRENT letter of Code Compliance from the Department of Safety and Inspections Vacant Buildings Inspector, or a CURRENT Certificate of
Code Compliance (only on rental properties) from the Saint Paul Fire Marshal’s Office, then this other, CURRENT, document may be used
and made available to prospective buyers in lieu of the Truth-in-Sale of Housing report; either the current Code Compliance or the current
Certificate of Occupancy satisfies the requirements in this Ordinance, Chapter 189. If you use one of these other types of inspection reports,
substitute the name of that report for “Truth-in-Sale of Housing” report throughout this flyer.
For the full text of the ordinance, go to: www.stpaul.gov, go to “Government”, then “Safety and Inspections” to find the page “Truth-in-Sale of
Housing”, then click on the link, Chapter 189 (Truth in Sale of Housing). This Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report must be
conspicuously displayed at the premises for all prospective buyers to see. A valid disclosure report issued under the ordinance shall be
provided to the buyer before or at the time of sale of the dwelling. Disclosure reports shall be prepared and signed only by an independent
evaluator who has been certified as a Truth in Housing evaluator under the ordinance.
Failure to obtain a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report before marketing a house for sale, or failure to make that 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 $1,000.00 fine.
WHAT THE DISCLOSURE REPORT IS NOT:
The report is not a V.A. or FHA appraisal or inspection.
It is not a technically extensive report. It is prepared through a visual inspection and is only a disclosure.
It is not a warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, by the City or the independent evaluator, for any of the building's components or
fixtures. The City does not guarantee or warranty the accuracy of the report.
The Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report does not address formaldehyde, lead paint, any airborne gas (including radon), asbestos,
fiberglass fiber, insect or animal pests, wells or septic tanks. The evaluator is not required to ignite the heating plant, use a ladder to observe
the condition of the roof, evaluate inaccessible or concealed areas, disassemble or remove anything for the evaluation.
A Truth-in-Sale of Housing report cannot grant permission to occupy a registered vacant building, nor does it provide certification that the
dwelling may be rented to tenants.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS A DISCLOSURE REPORT?
This disclosure report is an overview of the building components and fixtures. It is to inform prospective buyers of the observed condition of a
dwelling at the time of the evaluation. The disclosure report is intended to provide basic information to the home buyer and the seller prior to
the time of sale; it is not necessarily detailed information. Prospective buyers may also seek additional opinions from various experts in the
home inspection field prior to purchase.
IS THE CITY GOING TO USE THE REPORT FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT?
A Truth-in-Sale of Housing report is “disclosure only”, EXCEPT that the Fire Marshal’s office will require the installation of at least one hard-
wired smoke detector if there is none in the dwelling at the time of the Truth-in-Sale of Housing inspection. The Code Compliance report
for vacant buildings and the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Fire Marshal require some degree of code compliance and enforcement.
The V.A., FHA, or some other mortgage or finance company may demand certain codes or standards be met before a mortgage is approved;
they have their own standards and while they may be similar, they may not be the same as those noted on the Truth-in-Sale of Housing
disclosure report.
ARE ALL DWELLINGS INCLUDED?
One and two-family dwellings, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops require a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report whenever there is
an intended change of ownership. A Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report must be done for Contract-For-Deed sales.
There are some exceptions to the requirement for a Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report. They are:
1. Any newly constructed dwelling when title is transferred to the first owner.
2. The conveyance of title of the dwelling to a public body.
3. A dwelling with a valid Certificate of Code Compliance, or the orders from a Certificate of Code Compliance inspection, as set forth in
Section 33 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code which shall be dated no earlier than one (1) year prior to its usage.
4. The sale or conveyance of any dwelling by a public or court officer in the performance of their official duties. This does not apply to the sale
of a dwelling by a personal representative or guardian appointed by a probate court or a sale ordered by a probate court.
5. Any dwelling or dwelling unit covered by a current Certificate of Occupancy issued by the city fire department’s fire prevention certificate of
occupancy program.
6. The sale of a dwelling to a member of the current owner's immediate family: narrowly defined as one of the linear relationships between a
parent, child, sibling and/or grandparent.
7. The building is going to be demolished within 365 days/1 year.
HOW LONG IS THE DISCLOSURE REPORT VALID?
The report is valid for one (1) year from the date on the report and is valid only for the owner named on the report, and for only one sale.
WHEN SHOULD THE EVALUATION BE DONE?
The ordinance requires an evaluation be done no later than three (3) calendar days after a dwelling is offered, listed or posted for sale. It is the
responsibility of the owner or the owner's agent and/or agent’s broker to comply with these requirements.
HOW DO I CONTACT AN EVALUATOR AND WHAT WILL BE THE COST?
Evaluators are private contractors, not employees of the City. The City maintains a list of licensed Evaluators and provides this list (which
includes telephone numbers for each evaluator) upon request. You may hire an Evaluator through a Realtor or agent as long as the evaluator
you hire is licensed by the City of Saint Paul. The City will not recommend an Evaluator. You may request a list of licensed Evaluators by calling
(651) 266-1900. You may print out a list of Evaluators by going to this website, Internet link: www.stpaul.gov , go to “Government”, then “Safety
and Inspections” to find the page, “Truth-in-Sale of Housing”. The City does not monitor, regulate, guarantee or set the fees charged by
Evaluators.
web page.doc 05/08
Some common St. Paul Truth-in-Housing items rated "H" for Hazardous:
St. Paul Truth in Housing Evaluations -- Call Apple
If your home is in St. Paul, you'll need a Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) evaluation to sell:
If your home is in St. Paul, you'll need a Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) evaluation to sell:
- All single family homes, duplexes, condominiums, and townhouses are included
- St. Paul Truth in Housing evaluations are good for one year or one sale
- St. Paul requires an evaluation be done within three (3) calendar days of a dwelling being
offered, listed or posted for sale. It can be done more than 3 days before the dwelling is
offered for sale, but no later than 3 days after the dwelling is offered for sale
- Repairs are not required, EXCEPT for the hardwired smoke detector -- see below
- If the owner has a CURRENT letter of Code Compliance from the Department of Safety and
Inspections Vacant Buildings Inspector, or a CURRENT Certificate of Code Compliance (only
on rental properties) from the Saint Paul Fire Marshal’s Office, then this other, CURRENT,
document may be used in lieu of the Truth-in-Housing report
GFCI outlets. They should trip off (no power) when
the test button is pushed. If they don’t, they are
either wired wrong or the outlet is defective.
the test button is pushed. If they don’t, they are
either wired wrong or the outlet is defective.
| Jumper wire must be clamped on both sides of the water meter. Use approved grounding clamps as shown, mounted outside the shutoffs. Use #6 gauge copper wire if your electrical service is 60, 100, or 150 amp. Use #4 gauge copper for 200 amp services. |
Toilet fill valve (ballcock). The hose outlet (A) must be at least 1 inch
higher than the overflow pipe (B). This repair has nothing to do with
the water level in the tank. Click here for more details.
higher than the overflow pipe (B). This repair has nothing to do with
the water level in the tank. Click here for more details.
Cleanout plug in side of floor drain. The cleanout plug must be tight-fitting. If there are
still good threads in the hole, you can use a new plastic plug as shown. If the threads
are rusted, use a plug with a butterfly nut as shown. The floor drain must be functional
(it drains) with the cleanout plug in place.
still good threads in the hole, you can use a new plastic plug as shown. If the threads
are rusted, use a plug with a butterfly nut as shown. The floor drain must be functional
(it drains) with the cleanout plug in place.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| We provide Minneapolis Truth in Housing inspections, St. Paul Truth in Housing inspections, Maplewood Truth in Housing, Bloomington Time of Sale, South St. Paul Time of Sale, Robbinsdale Point of Sale, and Hopkins Truth-in-Housing inspections and reports. We also provide pre-purchase home inspections for buyers, West St. Paul rental inspections, South St. Paul rental inspections, and Little Canada rental inspections. © Copyright 2012 Apple Home Inspections Inc. All rights reserved. |
Exposed wires (missing light fixture).
Exposed wires (missing junction box cover).
