In general, a disclosure document is supposed to provide details about a property's condition that might negatively affect its value. Sellers who willfully conceal information can be sued and potentially convicted of a crime. Selling a property "As Is" will usually not exempt a seller from disclosures.
A Seller's Disclosure is a legal document that requires sellers to provide previously undisclosed details about the property's condition that prospective buyers may find unfavorable. This document is also known as a property disclosure, and it's important for both those buying a house and for those selling a house.
The Residential Real Property Disclosure Act is an Illinois statute that was enacted in 1998 with the purpose of protecting home buyers from unscrupulous sellers who falsely report the condition of their property. It is supposed to provide buyers with a reliable representation on the major conditions of a property.
The following states are currently non-disclosure states: Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Ohio's disclosure requirement comes from a law called Ohio Revised Code § 5302.30, which requires people selling residential property containing one to four dwelling units to fill out a Residential Property Disclosure Form.
Property sellers are usually required by law to disclose negative information about a property. It is usually wise to disclose issues with your home, whether you are legally required to or not. The seller must follow local, state, and federal laws regarding disclosures when selling their home.
Any seller who intends to transfer any interest in real property shall disclose to the buyer any material defects with the property known to the seller by completing all applicable items in a property disclosure statement which satisfies the requirements of section 7304 (relating to disclosure form).