California real estate disclosure laws California Real Estate Disclosures | Page 32

NOTE: Upon written request, the association is to provide within 10 days the above information to or as directed by the owner. In addition, some transactional documents require that the owner secure for the prospective buyer copies of minutes of proceedings, which may be obtained from the association by the owner in accordance with Civil Code Section 1365.2. (CAL. CIV. §§ 1368, 1375 , 1375.1(a)(1),(2),(3)) K. Notice Regarding the Advisability of Title Insurance In an escrow for a sale (or exchange) of real property where no title insurance is to be issued, the buyer (or both parties to an exchange) must receive and sign/acknowledge the following notice as a separate document in the escrow: “IMPORTANT: IN A PURCHASE OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY, IT MAY BE ADVISABLE TO OBTAIN TITLE INSURANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CLOSE OF ESCROW SINCE THERE MAY BE PRIOR RECORDED LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES WHICH AFFECT YOUR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY BEING ACQUIRED. A NEW POLICY OF TITLE INSURANCE SHOULD BE OBTAINED IN ORDER TO INSURE YOUR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY THAT YOU ARE ACQUIRING.” NOTE: While the statute does not expressly assign the duty, it is reasonable to assume that delivery of the notice is an obligation of the escrow holder. A real estate broker conducting an escrow pursuant to the exemption set forth in Financial Code Section 17006(a)(4) would, therefore, be responsible for delivery of the notice. (CAL. CIV. § 1057.6) L. Certification Regarding Water Heater’s Security Against Earthquake The seller of any real property containing a water heater must certify in writing to a prospective buyer that the water heater has been braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or horizontal movement due to earthquake motion. The minimum standard for this security is set forth in the California Plumbing Code, which may be more restrictively amended by local or municipal code or ordinance. The certification can be included with the Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety, in the Real Estate Purchase Contract or Receipt for Deposit, or with the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement. (CAL. HEALTH & SAFETY § 19211) -25-