Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Consumer Protection & Business Committee
HB 1064
Brief Description: Requiring the disclosure of high-speed internet access availability in the seller's disclosure statement.
Sponsors: Representatives Eslick, Kloba, Leavitt, Wylie, Gregerson, Ryu, Young, Robertson, Kirby and Fey.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds questions about the availability of high-speed Internet access to the seller disclosure statement for residential property.
Hearing Date: 1/18/21
Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).
Background:

In real estate transactions for the sale of improved residential real property, absent an express waiver or exemption, sellers must provide buyers with a completed seller disclosure statement no later than five business days after mutual acceptance of a written purchase agreement.  The disclosure statement requires the seller to answer (1) "yes," (2) "no," or (3) "don't know" on a list of items, and if the questions require, the seller is given space to provide more details.  The seller disclosure statement includes the following categories:  

  • title;
  • water;
  • sewer or on-site sewage system;
  • structural;
  • systems and fixtures;
  • homeowners' association or common interests;
  • environmental;
  • manufactured and mobile homes; and
  • full disclosure by sellers.

 

Within three business days of receipt of the disclosure statement, the buyer may approve and accept the disclosure statement or rescind the purchase agreement.  If the disclosure statement is delivered late or not delivered, the buyer's right to rescind expires the earlier of three days after receipt of the disclosure statement or the date the transfer closes.
Summary of Bill:

The seller disclosure statement is amended to include questions about whether the property has access to high-speed Internet, who the Internet provider is, and the maximum upload and download speeds available.  The seller may answer by providing the information or by checking the "don't know" boxes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.