The City of Austin and Austin Energy Utility customers will be required beginning June 1st, 2009 to have a home energy audit performed by a certified energy auditor before they can close on the sale of their homes. This new ordinance, the City of Austin Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance, applies to all homes 10 years old or older at the time of sale. Sellers have to have the audit done prior to closing even if the property was listed prior to June 1st.
Sellers who have had energy audits and made at least three energy efficiency improvements or who have received rebates totaling $500 or more through the current energy efficiency program offered by the City of Austin and Austin Energy in the last 10 years are exempt. Some other exemptions apply relating to estate properties, foreclosures and such.
The audit among other things will examine the insulation, duct work and air conditioning systems in the property. Deficiencies will be noted and recorded for disclosure to the buyer. The seller is not required to make repairs or remediate the property, only to disclose the report regarding the home's energy efficiency. The cost of the audit is approximately $400-500.
For more information about the new ordinance and to watch a licensed auditor explain the process, go to our website and click on the Austin Energy Audit button on the bottom left side. If you are thinking of selling your home, we can arrange the audit with a licensed auditor and supervise the process for you as part of our service.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 19th, by Laura Duggan, Broker/Owner of West Austin Properties. For more information about this topic or any real estate related topic, call us at 512.750.2425 or email homes@westaustin.com
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