Wisconsin law has left the dark ages of caveat emptor or also known as “let the buyer beware” in the sale of residential property. The harshness of caveat emptor has been replaced by the Real Estate Condition Report or “RECR.” Basically, the RECR requires sellers to disclose their awareness of defects. What should be a simple concept is made complex by legalistic definitions. For instance, a “defect” is defined as a “condition that would have a significant adverse effect on the value of the property; that significantly impairs the health or safety of future occupants of the property; or that if not repaired, removed or replaced would significantly shorten or adversely affect the expected normal life of the premises.” It is not hard to imagine a silver-tongued lawyer arguing that just about anything is a defect under this definition. Consider the following quote:
“Houses are amazingly complex repositories. What I found, to my great surprise, is that whatever happens in the world – whatever is discovered or created or bitterly fought over – eventually ends up, in one way or another, in your house. Wars, famines, the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment – they are all there in your sofas and chests of drawers, tucked into the folds of your curtains, in the downy softness of your pillows, in the paint on your walls and the water in your pipes.” ― Bill Bryson, At Home: A Short History of Private Life
If Bill Bryson is right in saying that the history of the world is found within the four corners of a home, is it futile to expect a seller of a residential home to disclose defects? Not quite. In reality, the RECR is a straightforward document requiring a homeowner to check “yes, no, or N/A” to knowledge of defects concerning elements of the house, such as the roofing.
Blindly checking “no” to all knowledge of defects is foolhardy and may violate Wisconsin law. Notably, there is also a requirement that sellers amend their RECR if defects are discoverable after completion of the RECR but before an offer is accepted. These representations are legally binding and a buyer is entitled to rely on the RECR. Often, the RECR forms the basis for a lawsuit. Any doubt about a defect should be resolved in favor of disclosure.