Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement
Overview of this form
The Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement is a legal document provided by a real estate seller to inform potential buyers about any natural hazards associated with the property. This statement helps buyers understand if the property is located in areas prone to disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or wildfires. Unlike other property disclosures, this form specifically addresses environmental risks, ensuring buyers can make informed decisions based on the property's geographical risks.
What’s included in this form
- Property address: Identification of the specific location being sold.
- Disclosure of hazards: Information on whether the property lies within various hazardous areas (e.g., flood zones, fire hazard zones).
- Authority authorization: Allows agents to share this statement with prospective buyers.
- Transferor declarations: Seller's acknowledgment regarding the accuracy of the information provided.
- Transferee acknowledgment: Buyer's confirmation that they have read and understood the disclosure.
When this form is needed
This form should be used during the sale of real estate, particularly when the property is located in areas that may be at risk of natural disasters. Sellers are required to provide this information to protect buyers from unknowingly purchasing properties that may incur significant damage due to environmental hazards. This is especially crucial in regions known for flooding, earthquakes, or wildfires.
Who this form is for
- Property sellers looking to disclose natural hazards to potential buyers.
- Real estate agents representing sellers in property transactions.
- Buyers seeking to understand the environmental risks associated with a property they are considering purchasing.
- Investors evaluating properties in high-risk areas.
Completing this form step by step
- Identify the property: Fill in the full address of the property being sold.
- Disclose hazards: Indicate the presence of any applicable natural hazards by marking 'Yes', 'No', or 'Do not know' next to each category.
- Authorize agent access: Provide authorization for agents to share this statement with potential buyers.
- Sign and date: Both the seller and agent need to sign and date the form, confirming the accuracy of the disclosed information.
- Obtain buyer acknowledgment: Include a signature and date from the buyer, indicating they have received and understood the disclosure.
Notarization requirements for this form
In most cases, this form does not require notarization. However, some jurisdictions or signing circumstances might. US Legal Forms offers online notarization powered by Notarize, accessible 24/7 for a quick, remote process.
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Common mistakes
- Failing to disclose all relevant hazards, which can lead to legal issues.
- Not obtaining signatures from all parties involved.
- Providing incomplete information or leaving sections unanswered.
- Using outdated versions of the form that may not comply with current regulations.
Why use this form online
- Convenience: Access and complete the form from anywhere without the need for physical copies.
- Editability: Easily modify the form to suit your specific property details.
- Reliability: Templates are prepared by licensed attorneys, ensuring legal accuracy.
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FAQ
Natural hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events which can be geophysical (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic activity), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and
The natural hazard disclosure report (NHD) is a California-specific report that home sellers must obtain for their buyers in order to sell a home in a natural hazard zone. This is required by state law in California for sellers to be in compliance with the 1998 Natural Hazard Disclosure Act.
The Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (NHD) handed to a prospective buyer does not disclose: environmental hazards and physical deficiencies in the soil or property improvements.
Under California law, sellers in a real estate transaction must provide an NHD report to buyers before they sell a property. The NHD report shows whether a property lies within any of 6 common hazard zones present in the state.
What is a Natural Hazard Disclosure Report?To complete the form agents or sellers purchase a natural hazard disclosure report. It determines if a property is within a designated hazard area. These areas may include hazards such as an earthquake fault, a seismic hazard zone, seasonal flooding, or wildfires.
The seller is the one that usually pays for that as part of their disclosure packet. It costs $99 and it takes about 48 hours to get it. Asking your agent to assist with the NHD report is the smart move because some sellers are exempt from needing an NHD.
The seller and their agent are allowed to seek out a 'third party' (disclosure company, licensed engineer, land surveyor, geologist, or expert in natural hazard discovery) to prepare this report for them.
Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) Statement Sellers and agents of any real property must disclose to a prospective buyer if the property for sale is in certain types of natural hazard zones. For sales of certain properties, this disclosure must be made on a statutory form known as the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement.
