Allentown PA mandates Home Inspections

I do not have the details of how this program is designed to be fulfilled. The Sentence in the article "Properties sold in Allentown on or after Jan. 31 will be inspected for code and zoning violations before the units are transferred to new owners." seems to indicate that these will be municipal type of Inspections similar to CO or U&O inspections. Anyone aware of this change and how it is to be implemented?

www.mcall.com/business/local/all-inspection.6209894jan04,0,5000454.story

themorningcall.com

Allentown mandates home inspections

January 4, 2008

Properties sold in Allentown on or after Jan. 31 will be inspected for code and zoning violations before the units are transferred to new owners.

Mayor Ed Pawlowski signed a bill requiring the inspections Monday as a step toward improving the city's aging housing stock. He said it will probably have the largest impact on some out-of-town landlords who buy buildings without maintaining them. Housing and consumer advocates applauded the measure as long overdue.

The inspections will cost sellers of single-family houses and other residential properties $100. The sellers can negotiate with buyers about who will take care of violations that result from the inspection.

The city joins a host of other municipalities in the Lehigh Valley that require pre-sale inspections, including Bethlehem. The bill was approved last month by City Council as part of the 2008 budget.

Many homebuyers now pay for private inspections. Some will continue to do so because the banks providing their mortgages require it, but for other buyers, the law will provide the first indication if a property is not in compliance. City officials say the inspections will provide a paper trail of problems and repairs at any given property.

The Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors had several concerns about the law, but members of its government affairs committee collaborated with Pawlowski and other city officials on certain aspects of the bill. For example, the association advised the city to lower the proposed inspection fee from $200 to $100, and to provide more time for sellers and buyers to fix the problems.

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