Tricks of the Trade Part 1

Minneapolis Truth in Housing

All properties sold in Minneapolis, as well as several other communities in the metro, require a Truth in Sale of Housing Inspection Report.

In Minneapolis it works like this:

The Truth-in-Housing ordinance is meant to provide accurate information on the condition of property for sale and to help Minneapolis keep up the quality of housing available in the city.

Types of residence

Single-family houses
Duplexes
Townhouses
First-time condo conversions

Types of sales

Sale by owner
Sale by real estate agent
Real estate agent-assisted sale
Contract-for-deed
Other title transfer

The Truth in Housing Ordinance requires:

1. An evaluation to say what condition a house is in.

After February 26, 2007, a copy of the evaluation, the Certificate of Approval (if issued), the list of violations, can be found on the City of Minneapolis website.

2. Repairs must be made when a house is sold. (Learn more about required repairs.)

A licensed evaluator must complete a Truth in Housing evaluation and provide a disclosure report before any single-family house, duplex, townhouse, or first-time condo conversion can be shown to prospective buyers.

The Truth in Housing Evaluation, also known as the disclosure report, must be displayed on the property so potential buyers can look at it.

A re-inspection must be done after any required repairs have been completed. This is separate from the initial evaluation.

If you are ever curious about a specific property you see listed check out this Minneapolis Property Info page.

Not only can you see and print the latest Truth in Housing Inspection but you can also see a history of other permits that were pulled on the property.

Information is power! Your agent should always be getting you as much info as possible about the properties you are interested in and there are many resources available. Knowledge is power!