Natural hazard disclosure
A disclosure about known flood, fire, earthquake, or other natural hazard zones the property falls in. California's version is the strictest and most detailed.
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Where this comes up: getting ready
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
If the home sits in a flood, fire or earthquake zone you know about, the disclosure says so, and in some states a report is ordered to say it for you. A flood zone in particular changes the buyer's insurance and their loan.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your home is in a mapped flood zone and carries a flood policy. The buyer's lender will ask for one too, and the disclosure tells them before the lender does.
| The hazard | What it means to the buyer |
|---|---|
| A mapped flood zone | Flood insurance as a loan condition, at a real cost |
| A high fire-risk area | Insurance that is hard to get or expensive |
| An earthquake zone | A question about retrofit and coverage |
The hazard disclosure tells the buyer what their insurer is about to tell them.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That hazard zones are the buyer's job to research. Where the seller knows, the seller says, and some states require a formal report.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
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