Do You Legally Have Tell New Texas Home Buyers About Murders?

What if something bad did happen in a home that was being sold? Would that seller have to reveal the crime that happened? Let's take a look at what Texas law has to say about it.

Dark Happenings in a Home

A person could die suddenly in their home. Someone could break in and take the homeowner's life. The person living there may get to a point in their life that they tragically feel ending their life is the only answer. These are dark subjects, but, if any of these events happened in a home you may want to buy, are you required by Texas law to know beforehand?

A seller or seller's agent shall have no duty to make a disclosure or release information related to whether a death by natural causes, suicide, or accident unrelated to the condition of the property occurred on the property or whether a previous occupant had, may have had, has, or may have AIDS, HIV related illnesses, or HIV infection. - Texas Property Code, Sec. 5.008. 11. (c)

In Texas, if a natural death, an accidental death, or a suicide occurs in a home that is for sale, it does have to be revealed before selling the home (Texas Property Code, Sec. 5.008. 11. (c)). However, according to texasrealestate.com, if a murder occurred in the home for sale, that would have to be revealed to a potential buyer. Also, according to ramseysolutions.com, if there was an accident like drowning in a creek behind the home, that would need to be revealed so the buyer is aware of the risk.

Other Information Not Required to be Disclosed

There is other information that doesn't have to be revealed, either. You are not required to be informed if the previous owner may have had HIV or AIDS or any other deadly virus. It is also not required for a potential buyer to be informed if a registered sex offender lives nearby.

Something that I couldn't find in my research of Texas laws about selling a home is if it has to be revealed if another type of crime happened in a home like if someone sold drugs from the residence or if the home was used to hide a kidnap or sexual abuse victim.

Ask or Do Your Own Research

If these are concerns for you when buying a home, be sure to do your own research into the property. Home buying is a big deal so the more information you have about that home, the better.