Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-327b
(b) The following shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:
(d) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, within available appropriations, prescribe the written residential condition reports required by this section and sections 20-327c to 20-327e, inclusive. The written residential condition reports shall be based upon templates that the commissioner shall prescribe. Such templates shall: Fit on pages being not more than eight and one-half inches in height and eleven inches in width, with type size no smaller than nine-point type, other than checkboxes or section headers, which may be in a smaller size; include the address of the subject property on each page; include page numbers on each page; include section headings in bold type and include space for the buyer and the seller's initials on each page, except the signature page. Each written residential condition report, other than the written residential condition report required pursuant to subsections (g) and (h) of this section, shall contain the following, in the order indicated:
(1) A section entitled “Instructions to Sellers”
You MUST answer ALL questions to the best of your knowledge.
Identify/Disclose any problems regarding the subject property.
YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSEE CANNOT COMPLETE THIS FORM ON YOUR BEHALF.
UNK means Unknown, N/A means Not Applicable.
If you need additional space to complete any answer or explanation, attach additional page(s) to this form. Include subject property address, seller's name and the date.
(2) Pursuant to the Uniform Property Condition Disclosure Act, the seller is obligated to answer the following questions and to disclose herein any knowledge of any problem regarding the following:
(A) A subsection entitled “Subject Property”
(B) A subsection entitled “General Information”
(C) A subsection entitled “Leased Equipment”
Does the property include any Leased or Rented Equipment that would necessitate or obligate either of the following: The assignment or transfer of the lease or rental agreement(s) to the buyer or the replacement or substitution of the equipment by the buyer? If YES, indicate by checking ALL items that apply: PROPANE FUEL TANK; WATER HEATER; SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM; FIRE ALARM SYSTEM; SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA; WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM; SOLAR DEVICES; MAJOR APPLIANCES; OTHER
(D) A subsection entitled “Mechanical/Utility Systems”
(E) A subsection entitled “Water System”
(iii) If Private Well:
Has the well water been tested for contaminants/volatile organic compounds? If YES, attach a copy of the report.
(F) A subsection entitled “Sewage Disposal System”
(G) A subsection entitled “Asbestos/Lead”
(H) A subsection entitled “Building/Structure/Improvements”
(xvii) Fire and/or Smoke damage? If YES, explain:
(xviii) Termite, Insect, Rodent or Pest Infestation problems? If YES, explain:
(xxii) Is there a Radon Control System in place? If YES, explain:
(xxiii) Has a Radon control system been in place in the previous 12 months? If YES, explain:
(3) The written residential condition report shall contain the following immediately below the questions contained in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of subdivision (2) of this subsection:
A certification by the seller in the following form:
SELLER'S CERTIFICATION
“To the extent of the seller's knowledge as a property owner, the seller acknowledges that the information contained above is true and accurate for those areas of the property listed. In the event a real estate broker or salesperson is utilized, the seller authorizes the brokers or salespersons to provide the above information to prospective buyers, selling agents or buyers' agents.
| .... (Date) | .... (Seller) |
| .... (Date) | .... (Seller)” |
(4) The written residential condition report shall contain the following in a separate section immediately below the seller's certification:
(A) RESPONSIBILITIES OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS
This report in no way relieves a real estate broker of the broker's obligation under the provisions of section 20-328-5a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to disclose any material facts. Failure to do so could result in punitive action taken against the broker, such as fines, suspension or revocation of license.
(B) STATEMENTS NOT TO CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY
Any representations made by the seller on the written residential condition report shall not constitute a warranty to the buyer.
(C) NATURE OF REPORT
This Residential Property Condition Report is not a substitute for inspections, tests and other methods of determining the physical condition of property.
(D) INFORMATION ON THE RESIDENCE OF CONVICTED FELONS
Information concerning the residence address of a person convicted of a crime may be available from law enforcement agencies or the Department of Public Safety.
(E) BUILDING PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
Prospective buyers should consult with the municipal building official in the municipality in which the property is located to confirm that building permits and certificates of occupancy have been issued for work on the property.
(F) HOME INSPECTION
Buyers should have the property inspected by a licensed home inspector.
(G) CONCRETE FOUNDATION
Prospective buyers may have a concrete foundation inspected by a licensed professional engineer who is a structural engineer for deterioration of the foundation due to the presence of pyrrhotite.
(H) DAM
Information concerning the registration and categorization of a dam on the property may be obtained from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(5) The written residential condition report shall contain the following immediately below the statements contained in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of subdivision (4) of this subsection:
A certification by the buyer in the following form:
BUYER'S CERTIFICATION
“The buyer is urged to carefully inspect the property and, if desired, to have the property inspected by an expert. The buyer understands that there are areas of the property for which the seller has no knowledge and that this report does not encompass those areas. The buyer also acknowledges that the buyer has read and received a signed copy of this report from the seller or seller's agent.
| .... (Date) | .... (Buyer) |
| .... (Date) | .... (Buyer)” |
(g) In any transfer of residential real property that is located in a municipality that the Capitol Region Council of Governments determines is affected, or potentially affected, by crumbling foundations and was acquired by a political subdivision of this state or was acquired by a judgment of strict foreclosure or by foreclosure by sale or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the owner or political subdivision shall, through a written residential condition report described in subsection (h) of this section, disclose to the prospective purchaser of such real property, at any time prior to the prospective purchaser's execution of any binder, contract to purchase, option or lease containing a purchase option, any facts that are within such owner's or political subdivision's actual knowledge concerning:
(h) In any transfer of residential real property that is located in a municipality that the Capitol Region Council of Governments determines is affected, or potentially affected, by crumbling foundations and was acquired by a political subdivision of this state or was acquired by a judgment of strict foreclosure or by foreclosure by sale or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the owner or political subdivision shall satisfy the provisions of subsection (g) of this section through a written residential condition report prescribed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, which report shall be entitled “Residential Foundation Condition Report” and exclusively contain the following in the following order:
(1) A section entitled “Instructions to Sellers”
You MUST answer ALL questions based on your knowledge. You are not required to undertake investigations or inspections of the foundation to verify your answers.
YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSEE CANNOT COMPLETE THIS FORM ON YOUR BEHALF.
UNK means Unknown, N/A means Not Applicable.
If you need additional space to complete any answer or explanation, attach additional page(s) to this form. Include subject property address, seller's name and the date.
(2) Pursuant to the Uniform Property Condition Disclosure Act, the seller is obligated to answer the following questions and to disclose herein any knowledge of any problem regarding the following:
(B) A subsection entitled “Information About the Foundation”
(3) In a separate section immediately below the questions contained in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the following information in the following form:
(A) RESPONSIBILITIES OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS
This report in no way relieves a real estate broker of the broker's obligation under the provisions of section 20-328-5a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to disclose any material facts. Failure to do so could result in punitive action taken against the broker, such as fines, suspension or revocation of license.
(B) STATEMENTS NOT TO CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY
Any representations made by the seller in this residential foundation condition report shall not constitute a warranty to the buyer.
(C) NATURE OF REPORT
This report is not a substitute for inspections, tests and other methods of determining the physical condition of the foundation. Prospective buyers may have a concrete foundation inspected by a licensed professional engineer for deterioration of the foundation due to the presence of pyrrhotite.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(4) Immediately following the information contained in subdivision (3) of this subsection, a certification by the buyer in the following form:
BUYER'S CERTIFICATION
“The buyer is urged to carefully inspect the foundation and, if desired, to have the foundation inspected by an expert. The buyer understands that there are parts of the property, including the foundation, for which the seller has no knowledge and that this report does not encompass those parts. The buyer also acknowledges that the buyer has read and reviewed a signed copy of this report from the seller or the seller's agent.
| .... (Date) | .... (Buyer) |
| .... (Date) | .... (Buyer)” |
(5) Immediately below the buyer's certification, a certification by the seller in the following form:
SELLER'S CERTIFICATION
“To the extent of the seller's knowledge as an owner of a property acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, the seller acknowledges that the information contained above is true and accurate. In the event a real estate broker or salesperson is utilized, the seller authorizes the broker or salesperson to provide the above information to prospective buyers, selling agents or buyers' agents.
| .... (Date) | .... (Seller) |
| .... (Date) | .... (Seller)” |
(P.A. 95-311, S. 1, 5; P.A. 96-200, S. 1; P.A. 98-10, S. 39; P.A. 00-179; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-144, S. 5; 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 06-81, S. 1; P.A. 07-217, S. 87; P.A. 09-127, S. 1; P.A. 10-5, S. 51; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 12-122, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 340; P.A. 18-179, S. 1; P.A. 19-192, S. 5; 19-196, S. 7; P.A. 21-41, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 95-311 effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 96-200 amended Subsec. (a) re the timing and medium of residential condition reports, amended Subdiv. (10) of Subsec. (b) to require “strict foreclosure”, amended Subsec. (c) to include “cooperatives and condominiums”, and substituted “salesperson” for “salesman”; P.A. 98-10 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 00-179 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality and amended Subsec. (d) to add provisions in Subdiv. (1) requiring regulations to provide that the form include information concerning municipal assessments and delete “on or before January 1, 1996”, to add new Subdiv. (2)(G) requiring statement re information on the residence address of a person convicted of a crime, and to make a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-144 amended Subsec. (d)(2)(F) by requiring form to contain information re flood hazards; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 06-81 amended Subsec. (d)(2)(F) to require disclosure report to contain information on the results of any water test performed for volatile organic compounds if the residence is or will be served by well water; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (d)(1), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 09-127 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding April 1, 2010, compliance date for regulations, designating existing provisions re municipal assessments as Subpara. (A), adding Subparas. (B) and (C) re disclosure of leased items and historic district designation and statement, and making conforming and technical changes, effective June 19, 2009; P.A. 10-5 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective May 5, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (d)(2)(G), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-122 amended Subsec. (d) to change date re adoption of regulations from April 1, 2010, to January 1, 2013, in Subdiv. (1) and, in Subdiv. (2), to add Subparas. (H) to (M) re common interest communities, underground storage tanks, consulting with municipal building official, inspection by licensed home inspector, release of hazardous substance and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, effective July 1, 2012; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding new Subparas. (L), (M) and (N) re having foundation inspected by professional engineer, question re seller having knowledge of testing or inspection related to foundation and question re seller having knowledge of repairs to foundation, respectively, and redesignating existing Subparas. (L) and (M) as Subparas. (O) and (P), effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 18-179 substantially amended Subsec. (d) by replacing provisions re residential disclosure report with provisions re same, and adding Subsec. (f) re new listings, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-192 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting former Subdiv. (3) re transfers pursuant to court order, redesignating existing Subdivs. (4) to (6) as Subdivs. (3) to (5), deleting former Subdiv. (7) re transfers by deed in lieu of foreclosure, redesignating existing Subdiv. (8) as Subdiv. (6), redesignating provision re transfers by political subdivisions in existing Subdiv. (8) as new Subdiv. (7), and redesignating existing Subdivs. (9) and (10) as Subdivs. (8) and (9), amended Subsec. (d) by adding “, within available appropriations”, adding provisions re disclosure of testing or inspection method, areas tested or inspected and testing or inspection results in Subdiv. (2)(H)(v), adding provisions re description of repairs, disclosure of areas repaired and attachment of report in Subdiv. (2)(H)(vi), adding new Subdiv. (2)(H)(vii) re knowledge related to presence of pyrrhotite, and redesignating existing Subdivs. (2)(H)(vii) to (2)(H)(xxii) as Subdivs. (2)(H)(viii) to (2)(H)(xxiii), added Subsecs. (g) and (h) re crumbling concrete foundations, replaced references to residential disclosure report with references to residential condition report, and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 19-196 amended Subsec. (h)(3)(C) by deleting “who is a structural engineer”; P.A. 21-41 amended Subsec. (d) by adding new Subdiv. (2)(B)(vi) re presence of dam on the property, redesignating existing Subdivs. (2)(B)(vi) to (2)(B)(xii) as Subdivs. (2)(B)(vii) to (2)(B)(xiii), adding Subdiv. (4)(H) re dams, and making a conforming change.