Do You Have To Disclose Mice When Selling A House

Published on August 26th, 2022

When selling a house, you will need to fill out a lot of paperwork. One of the many documents sellers need to fill out is specifically addressed to material facts and disclosures about the property.

Disclosure laws and disclosure requirements vary from state to state, but Federal law requires that sellers disclose a set level of information about the property to avoid legal trouble.

Disclosure Rules Vary by State and Local Laws

If you are selling your home with the aid of a real estate attorney or real estate agent, they will be up to date on the federal law and local laws surrounding a seller's disclosure.

In many areas, a seller will need to sign off on paperwork prior to listing their home for sale called a seller's disclosure form, which goes over items like lead paint, hazardous materials, mold growth, toxic waste, water damage, and other nuisances that could affect the property's condition and negatively impact the property's value.

Most of these issues noted on a disclosure form or disclosure statement could negatively impact a potential buyer.

Federal Law Requires That Sellers Disclose Information

Federally, a seller's disclosure statement should include information about the following property defects to a prospective buyer if they are aware of them:

• Roof leaks

• pest infestation

• Broken window or windows

• Any known defects

• Lead based paint

• Lead

• Previous termite treatment

• Septic of sewer issues

• Issues with the heating system

• A potential health hazard

Sellers are legally required to disclose all of the above information and known issues to a seller prior to purchase.

In most states, buyers are allowed to conduct home inspections during their option period. Real estate agents will advise you to disclose information to potential buyers prior to a home inspection to the best of their knowledge.

A buyer could walk away from home if a seller withholds information about pests, including mice, and this defect is found. Providing as much information as you can about the location, defects, and anything else you can think of will instill confidence in a buyer and help you sell your home that much faster.

Being honest is the best policy when it comes to having a smooth transaction, including disclosing a mice infestation.