Slide 6 of 10
Notes:
THE REASONS THAT OWNERS RETROFIT
Notes to Instructor:
- Let students know that this section is to help the contractors market their services.
- Big incentive is that certain deficiencies must be disclosed upon sale of the house in California.
- There are many reasons for retrofitting.
- Owners may retrofit to ensure the safety of their family.
- Landlords may wish to avoid future loss of income from a vacant and damaged building.
- Many insurance companies will not write earthquake or homeowner’s insurance until needed retrofitting is done.
- Some cities and counties mandate seismic retrofits when alterations reach a specific dollar amount or enough square footage is added to the building.
- Special real estate transfer rules exist in California for residential dwellings.
If the structure was built prior to January 1, 1960, and it contains one to four living units of conventional light-frame construction, the transferor must disclose any of the following deficiencies they are aware of:
- The absence of anchor bolts securing the sill plate to the foundation.
- The existence of perimeter cripple walls that are not braced with plywood, blocking, or diagonal metal or wood braces.
- The existence of a first-story wall or walls that are not braced with plywood or diagonal metal or wood braces.
- The existence of a perimeter foundation composed of unreinforced masonry.
- The existence of unreinforced masonry dwelling walls.
- The existence of a habitable room or rooms above a garage.
- The existence of a water heater that is not anchored, strapped, or braced.
- Disclosure Requirements
The transferor is also required to disclose any material information within the transferor’s actual knowledge regarding any corrective measures or improvements taken to address the items listed above. See the California Government Code Section in the Appendix for full details.
