Some Southern California Cities Require A Pre-Sale Inspection, A Report Or Both!
Whether selling or buying a home, it is well to learn if the jurisdiction in which the property is located requires that representatives of that jurisdiction (invariably cities; counties usually do not do this) must enter and inspect the property before close of escrow.
The practice, almost unknown 10 years ago, is becoming widespread. In certain cities, an inspection is not carried out provided certain forms have been completed and signed by real estate agents or others. In many cases, a city report is required.
So, if you’re buying (or selling, responsibility is on the seller) in any of these cities, know that there will be city intervention of some sort.
CAUTION: just because a city is not on the following list does NOT mean that there is no inspection requirement. Ask City Hall!
Azusa
Los Angeles ( *) (Form RPR-9)
Bell
Manhattan Beach
Beverly Hills
Maywood
Carson
Monterey Park
Compton
Newport Beach
Cudahy
Orange
Culver City
Oxnard
El Monte
Palos Verdes Estates
El Segundo
Pasadena
Gardena
Port Hueneme
Hawaiian Gardens
Rancho Palos Verdes
Hermosa Beach
Rolling Hills Estates
Huntington Park
San Diego
Industry
San Marino
Inglewood
Santa Monica
Laguna Beach
Signal Hill
Lawndale
Thousand Oaks
Lomita
Torrance
Long Beach
Westlake Village
Each city has its own set of rules: some merely require a form to be completed and signed, others require that a City Inspector examine the property and improvements and create a list of items to be corrected. All charge a fee.
WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING, WHEN IN DOUBT CONTACT CITY AUTHORITIES REGARDING REPORTS-INSPECTIONS!
(*) The City of Los Angeles has more than 40 designated community names that are NOT cities in their own right. Los Angeles Report-Inspection rules apply to these areas. The best known are: Hollywood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey (some portions are County area not subject to the City’s rules), Van Nuys, Venice, Westchester, San Pedro, Wilmington, Northridge, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, North Hollywood, Sylmar, Sunland, Tujunga, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. There are many others.
DISCLAIMER: Compiled as a guide for real estate practitioners from sources believed to be reliable but not definitive. Information subject to change per city or community.
