If you are planning on buying or selling home, then you're likely well versed on the entire process, from the initial offer to closing. But what if there was a death in the home? Does that need to be disclosed in Ohio? Here's what you need to know.
Property Disclosure Documents
No matter how perfect a house looks on the outside, there is often property information a buyer needs to disclose before the sale can go through. Property disclosure documents reveal known structural issues, neighborhood nuisances, hazards, HOA details, water damage, and notable repairs made to the home.
But are you required to disclose a death? Rules for reporting a death in the home vary by state, and may include:
- Timeframe: When the death occurred.
- How the person passed away: If the death occurred naturally versus due to negligence on the property.
- Hauntings: If the seller has knowledge that the property is being haunted by the dead.
So what are the rules in Ohio? Here are the details:
In Ohio, there is nothing in the law books that requires disclosing such an event on a property. However, the seller has an obligation to disclose any fact that could be relevant to the buyer’s decision to purchase the property. There is no issue with a peaceful death, but in the case of a murder or suicide, disclosing it could prevent a potential lawsuit (consider the buyers will likely find out from the neighbors anyway!)
For a state by state guide on disclosure laws, you might want to visit this resource on Nolo.com.
Remediating After a Death in a Home
If a death recently occurred in the home you're hoping to purchase, there may have been biohazards from bloodborne pathogens that required remediation. It would be wise to ask the seller how the death was remediated to ensure proper steps were taken. The cleanup process may vary depending on the location of the death, how the death occurred, types of flooring, and if the death was undiscovered for days or weeks.
Bio-One technicians are trained and equipped to properly disinfect biohazards from bloodborne pathogens, and we ensure safe biohazard material handling and disposal. Once the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids, we also help property owners restore the location to its pre-incident state.
If you are selling a home and need a biohazard remediated or want to ensure remediation was done correctly, give Bio-One a call. Our experts not only contain and disinfect the dangerous biological materials, we carry out our work in a caring and private manner.
