If buying or selling a home in Indiana is in your future, you're likely well versed in the entire process from the initial offer to closing. But are you aware that disclosing a death in the home may be required? 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, notable repairs made to the home and death in the home.
Rules for reporting a death in the home vary by state, and variations in rules 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 Indiana? Here are the details:
In the state of Indiana, you do not have to disclose a death that occurred in a home.
Psychologically affected property is the term used to describe a home that is for sale, rent, or lease where one of the following occurred, or is reasonably assumed to have occurred:
- A resident of the home had or died from an illness related to HIV.
- Someone died on the property.
- Criminal gang activity took place on the property.
- There was a shooting involving law enforcement at the home.
- Illegal drugs or controlled substances were manufactured on or sold from the residence.
- A felony under Indiana IC 35 occurred on the property. IC 35 covers 19 articles with crimes ranging from theft to violence with bodily harm.
For a state by state guide on disclosure laws we recommend visiting 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. Consider asking the seller how the death was remediated to ensure proper steps were taken. Remediation processes 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 at 317-499-0614. Our experts not only contain and disinfect the dangerous biological materials, we carry out our work in a caring and private manner.
"Help First, Business Second"
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
