Housing Inspections in the Following Cities Call: 651-644-3999
Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH)
Saint Paul Truth in Housing Inspections
In Saint Paul, you’ll need a Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) inspection to sell:
- All single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and condominiums are included.
- The TISH inspection is good for one year or one sale.
- A TISH is not necessary for the sale of a property to immediate family. This includes grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Immediate family does not include branching relationships such as aunts, uncles, or cousins.
- Saint Paul requires a TISH report be done no later than three (3) calendar days after a dwelling is offered, listed or posted for sale, or any other action intended to start the marketing process. The TISH report must be displayed at the property for all showings.
- Repairs are not required, EXCEPT for the hardwired smoke detector -- see below.
If the owner has a CURRENT (less than a year old) letter of Code Compliance from the Department of Safety and Inspections Vacant Buildings Inspector or a CURRENT Certificate of Code Compliance (only on rental properties) from the DSI Fire Inspection Division, then either of these documents can be used in place of the Truth in Housing report.
The following information is from the St. Paul TISH page:
City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Truth-in-Sale of Housing Program
375 Jackson Street, Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651-266-8989
Hours: 8am – 4:30pm (M-F)
The Saint Paul Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report is a visual overview of the building components and fixtures. This required report is to inform prospective buyers of the observed condition of a dwelling at the time of the evaluation. The disclosure report is intended to provide basic information to the home buyer and the seller prior to the time of sale.
Prospective buyers may also seek additional opinions or more detailed inspections from various experts in the home inspection field prior to purchase.
The Saint Paul Truth-in-Sale of Housing Program is “disclosure only,” with one exception. The only item that must be remedied is the lack of a hard-wired smoke alarm (HWSA – Item No. 41 on the Disclosure Report). If there is no Hard-Wired Smoke Alarm (HWSA) and the proper wiring is not present (in a single family home), the owner/seller must have one installed and verified by the permit process. Installation must be done after pulling a Smoke Detector Installation Electrical Permit. Homestead owners may get the permit if the wiring already exists. Non-homestead owners must hire a licensed contractor to complete the work. Once the work is complete, please call for the “final” inspection to close the permit.
Buyer/Seller Information
This Truth-in-Sale of Housing disclosure report must be conspicuously displayed at the premises for all prospective buyers to see. A valid disclosure report, or an Alternatively Accepted report (see below), issued under the ordinance, shall be provided to the buyer before or at the time of sale of the dwelling. Disclosure reports shall be prepared and signed only by an independent evaluator who has been certified as a Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluator under the ordinance. Reports are valid for one (1) year from the date of evaluation. The City of Saint Paul requires only one inspection (report) to be done and available on residential properties for sale. Inspection reports are only valid for one year (365 days) from the date of the inspection.
Alternatively Accepted Reports
“Alternatively Accepted” reports may be used in lieu of the Truth-in-Sale of Housing report. Either of these Alternatively Accepted reports must be less than one year old and meet the definition of an Alternatively Accepted City Inspection Report in the ordinance, Chapter 189.01.
- Letter of Code Compliance from the Department of Safety and Inspections Vacant Buildings Inspector.
- Certificate of Occupancy (only on rental properties) from the Department of Safety and Inspections Fire Inspection Division.
TISH Evaluators
Saint Paul TISH evaluators are private contractors, not employees of the City. The City maintains a list of licensed evaluators. You may hire an evaluator through a realtor or agent as long as the evaluator you hire is licensed by the City of Saint Paul. The City will not recommend an evaluator. The City does not monitor, regulate, guarantee or set the fees charged by evaluators.