Minneapolis Truth-in-Sale of Housing history
February 26, 2007 The City of Minneapolis switched to a web based Truth in Sale of Housing Evaluations.
http://apps.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/AddressApp/ this link will bring you to the Cities Property Information page where you can look up an active Truth in Housing report.
As of the Fall of 2005, all Minneapolis Truth in Sale Evaluations are good for 2 years.
As of June 1, 2002
The city of Minneapolis made a large change in the program and removed the majority of Repair/Replace items and also removed the sellers mandatory repair clause -where the owner must make the repairs if they sold the house or not (if the property is taken off of the market the evaluation would expire after one year).
In January 2002 additional Repair/Replace items were added to the Evaluators guidelines.
On January 1, 1999 the City of Minneapolis implemented a revision to Chapter 248, Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing it is intended to enhance the supply of safe housing and to prevent the deterioration of the overall housing stock within the City. A seller/homeowner had to make required repairs to deficient items in the house before it is sold.
What is a Pre-Inspection? What is a Backflow Preventer?
TRUTH-IN-SALE-OF-HOUSING REPAIR/REPLACE LIST
1. Smoke Detectors
National building, fire & housing codes recognize the importance of properly located and functional smoke detectors. The requirements and the dependability of these devices have increased through improved technology and the adoption of many code changes. These changes have dramatically reduced the number of deaths and injuries due to fire. Therefore, Minneapolis requires a smoke detector on all levels and properly located as follows:
a) On each story of the dwelling, including basement and a walk up unfinished attic space.
b) Mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or in an area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes.
c) Within 15 feet of a doorway leading to every room used for sleeping purposes.
d) Where sleeping rooms are located on an upper level, the required detector shall be placed at the center of the ceiling directly above the stairway.
e) All detectors shall be located in accordance with the approved manufacturer instructions.
2. Electrical Systems that are over fused or have been tampered with will need to be certified
3. Plumbing Fixtures Below Spill Line
Protection of potable water for inhabitants of a dwelling (and also city water supply) is of great importance. An unsafe water supply condition can be corrected by installing faucets that are above the spill line or an approved "in-line" dual check valve on both hot and cold water lines. Common locations where this is needed are:
a) Bathtubs, esp. claw foot tubs. (May need goose-neck fixture)
b) Laundry tubs with a faucet below the spill line.
shower/tub combo may need anti-scalding device installed.NOTE:
4. Backflow Preventers must be installed Basement laundry tubs and exterior faucets where a hose can be connected.
5. Electrical Ground
Electrical systems must be properly grounded. One of the areas where grounding is required (and many times omitted or removed) is around the water meter. A #6 wire (a #4 wire if electrical service is 200 amp or greater) is required to be attached to the house side of the meter with an approved (listed) clamp and also to the street side of the water meter with an approved (listed) clamp. Proper location of clamps is on the far side of the valves.
Click photo to enlarge
6. Unapproved Flexible Gas Appliance Connectors & Valves and Uncapped Gas Lines
All gas fire appliances are connected by one of three methods: A soft copper tubing with flared fittings, rigid piping connected directly to the appliance, or flexible connectors. Approved (stainless steel) flexible gas connectors must be listed to the American National Standards Institute Standard No. Z21.24 or Z21.45. Unapproved flexible connectors have the potential of rupturing and spilling of gas. Unused gas lines must be removed or capped with the appropriate plug & sealant. NOTE: ALL gas appliances must have the proper shut-off valves. New appliance installations require a permit.
Any starred * item requires permit. All re-inspections are done by City Inspectors.
Rental property, duplexes and non-owner occupant single family/townhouses will need licensed contractors
for permit work.Only homeowners who live in their single family home or townhouse can take out a permit, all others will need a licensed contractor for permit work.
1. Stairways, columns, beams, floors, walls, roofs, ceilings, chimneys and decks not capable of supporting loads placed on them and/or has the potential for structural failure. INCLUDES ACCESSORY BUILDINGS.*
2. Floor drain clean out plug missing or not secure. Floor drain has no water seal. Floor drain must be working.
3. Drain, waste & vent piping that is leaking,* sink and lavatory traps; openings not plugged or capped.
4. Less than 10 feet of water piping that is missing or leaking would not require a permit. Piping of greater length would need a plumbing permit.*
5. Gas lines using unapproved materials or connectors at appliances.* Gas lines not properly plugged or capped. A permit is needed when a new appliance is installed.
6. Water heater temperature and pressure relief valve is improperly located or missing.* Discharge piping is plugged, capped or incorrect length or made of plastic.
7. Water heater vent systems that have rust holes, are backpitched, have open joints or where back spillage is detected.*
8. a) Plumbing fixtures that are cracked, broken or leaking* (dripping faucets not included).
b) Plumbing fixtures entirely located within the basement, which have no visible signs of proper waste or vent systems.*
c) Faucet supply openings located below spill lines.*
d) Toilets must be connected to water supply and sewage system * and have an anti-siphon ballcock.
e) Minimum number of fixtures required: At least one toilet, one sink and one tub or shower.*
9. Electric service not properly grounded or no grounding jumper across water meter.* (See drawing on reverse side ).
10. Extension cords used in lieu of permanent wiring; broken or missing switch plates, outlet covers, fixtures, etc. Garage door openers must be directly plugged into an outlet, extension cords are not allowed. New installations of outlets require a permit. *
11. Smoke detectors missing (at least one on each level), not working or improperly located. Detectors may be battery operated.
12. a) Furnace or boiler not properly operating.* Some indicators are:
Visual signs:
1. Scale on burners or bottom of burner compartment.
2. Flame distortion with the blower motor running.
3. Rust and/or discoloration of the draft hood.
4. Excessive discoloration of the burner service panel.
b) Gas fired heating plants missing safety controls.*
1. Gas shut-off control.
2. Combination gas valve
c) Fuel fired heating plants missing safety controls.*
1. Barometric draft regulator installed in the vent connected.
d) A permit is not required for the installation or replacement of a thermostat for all gas & fuel fired heating plants.
13. Vent system for furnace has rust holes, backpitched, open joints, back spillage detected or not tightly sealed at chimney.*
14. Broken or jagged glass such that exposed edges may cause injury.
15. Lack of required utilities – may require simply contacting the utility company to turn these basic utilities on.
16. Dwelling units needing partial and/or total replacement of the following systems:
a) Heating plant*
b) Plumbing system*
c) Water heater*
d) Electrical service*
e) Gas piping*
17. Excessive amounts of clutter.
18. Unsanitary conditions due to excessive amount of human and animal waste, dead or decaying animals or vermin.
19. Vermin infestation rendering the dwelling uninhabitable.
Mpls. Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing MostcommonRev.doc 10/9/00