Home sellers would pay for chimney inspections before sales

Sellers would pay for a chimney inspection and give buyers the report before both sides sign the sale agreement. The requirement would cover residential property transfers involving a chimney and require a Level II inspection under the specified national fire safety standard. Chimneys permanently made unusable and transfers exempt from the seller disclosure law would be excluded. The inspector would need a current certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America or another nationally recognized organization meeting the bill’s knowledge requirements. The requirements would take effect 60 days after enactment.

The State Real Estate Commission’s property disclosure form would ask sellers about chimneys. The chimney entry would be part of the property disclosure statement and refer to the chimney inspection section. The form requirement would take effect 60 days after enactment.