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En el ámbito del real estate en Estados Unidos, las revelaciones (o «disclosures» en inglés) juegan un papel crucial. Estas garantizan que los compradores estén bien informados sobre cualquier aspecto de la propiedad que pueda afectar su decisión de compra. Mientras que algunos de estos requisitos de revelación son mandatados a nivel federal, otros están regulados por las leyes estatales.
The Federal Requirement: Lead Paint Disclosure
De las revelaciones mencionadas, sólo la «Lead Paint Disclosure» (Revelación de Pintura con Plomo) es un requisito federal. Según la ley federal, los vendedores de propiedades construidas antes de 1978 están obligados a proporcionar a los compradores el folleto «Protect Your Family From Lead in the Home» (Proteja a su familia del plomo en el hogar). Este folleto tiene como objetivo educar a los compradores sobre los riesgos asociados con la exposición al plomo.
In addition to providing this pamphlet, the party selling the property must disclose any knowledge of lead contamination at the property. These requirements allow buyers to perform their own lead testing on the property within a certain period if they wish.
Regulated Disclosures at the State Level
Unlike lead paint disclosure, the following are not federally mandated:
- Wetlands Disclosure (Wetland Disclosure): Reports whether a property is located in a wetland area, which could affect its use and development.
- Asbestos Disclosure (Asbestos Disclosure): Refers to the presence of asbestos in a property, a material that was previously used in construction but was found to be harmful to health.
- Floodplains Disclosure (Floodplain Disclosure): Indicates whether a property is located in a floodplain, which could require additional insurance and affect development.
These disclosures, while essential to an informed buyer, are regulated by state laws individual. Depending on the state, sellers may be required to disclose these and other potentially relevant factors.
Conclusion
It is essential that both buyers and sellers are aware of their rights and obligations when it comes to disclosures. While the federal lead paint mandate is universal in the United States, it is essential to consult state laws to ensure a transparent and ethical real estate transaction.
