STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                         4820--A
                                                                Cal. No. 135

                               2023-2024 Regular Sessions

                   IN ASSEMBLY

                                    February 23, 2023
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  RIVERA,  BENEDETTO,  BRONSON, CLARK, COLTON,
          CONRAD, DE LOS SANTOS, DINOWITZ, GLICK, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, HEVESI,  JACK-
          SON,  JACOBSON,  LUNSFORD,  McDONOUGH,  MEEKS,  PEOPLES-STOKES, REYES,
          L. ROSENTHAL, SEAWRIGHT,  SEPTIMO,  SILLITTI,  SIMON,  STECK,  TAYLOR,
          THIELE,  STIRPE, STERN, ARDILA, WALKER, KELLES, BURDICK, SANTABARBARA,
          SHIMSKY, CUNNINGHAM -- read once and  referred  to  the  Committee  on
          Judiciary   --  ordered  to  a  third  reading,  amended  and  ordered
          reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading

        AN ACT to amend the real property law,  in  relation  to  requiring  the
          disclosure  of  lead-based  paint  test  reports in real estate trans-
          actions

          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:

     1    Section  1. Legislative findings. a.  The legislature hereby finds and
     2  declares that lead poisoning of children persists as  one  of  the  most
     3  prevalent  and  preventable  environmental  diseases  in New York state.
     4  Nearly 100,000 children were newly identified with  levels  of  lead  in
     5  their  blood at five micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) in New York state
     6  between 2011 and 2015.
     7    b. Medical research indicates that children can suffer permanent brain
     8  damage at blood levels even lower than 5 mcg/dL, and that  there  is  no
     9  level  of lead ingestion that is without adverse impact; indeed, in 2021
    10  the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised the blood
    11  lead reference level downward to 3.5 mcg/dL.
    12    c. Black children and children from low-income households are consist-
    13  ently found to have higher levels of lead  in  their  blood  than  their
    14  white peers or their peers from higher income households.
    15    d.  The  predominant  cause of lead poisoning in young children is the
    16  ingestion of lead particles from  deteriorating  or  abraded  lead-based
    17  paint  from  older  and poorly maintained residences.  Although New York
    18  state banned the sale of lead-based paint in 1970, (l.1970, ch. 338) 74%
    19  of New York's housing stock was constructed prior to 1970 and lead-based
    20  paint was available outside of the state until 1978. New York state  has
    21  both  the  nation's  greatest number (over 4 million units), the highest

         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD02406-05-4

        A. 4820--A                          2

     1  percentage (55.08%) of pre-1960 and pre-1950 (41.0%)  housing,  and  the
     2  oldest housing inventory among the fifty states. At least ninety percent
     3  of  lead-based paint still exists in occupied housing built before 1960.
     4  New  York  state's older housing stock places residents at great risk of
     5  exposure to lead hazards, with low-income children living in older hous-
     6  ing having the highest risk of lead poisoning.
     7    e. Knowledge of lead-based paint hazards, their  control,  mitigation,
     8  abatement,  and  risk avoidance is not sufficiently widespread. In addi-
     9  tion, while federal law requires the disclosure by sellers of real prop-
    10  erty of knowledge of the existence of lead-based  paint  and  lead-based
    11  paint  hazards,  and  encourages potential buyers to conduct inspections
    12  for  lead-based  paint,  these  mechanisms  neither  mandate  that  such
    13  inspections  take place either by sellers or buyers. This gap in disclo-
    14  sure requirements results  in  residential  property  being  transferred
    15  without  any  knowledge of the potential for such property to cause lead
    16  poisoning and the attendant liabilities.
    17    f. Local county health departments lack sufficient information  as  to
    18  which  housing contains lead-based paint and the locations of such lead-
    19  based paint, resulting in less cost-effective prevention of lead poison-
    20  ing, avoidable harm to children's health, and wasted public resources.
    21    g. The purposes of this act are to assure that  properties  that  have
    22  not  been  previously  tested for lead-based paint are not simply trans-
    23  ferred to new owners without knowledge of whether  there  is  lead-based
    24  paint  present,  and  to  better  utilize the existing federal laws that
    25  mandate disclosure of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards  and
    26  to aid in the prevention of lead poisoning.  This act is not intended to
    27  and  does not diminish the responsibility of buyers to carefully examine
    28  the property which they intend to purchase and public records pertaining
    29  to the property. This act is not intended to and does not limit existing
    30  responsibilities by a seller, buyer or agent concerning the condition of
    31  the property or potential liabilities or remedies at law, statute or  in
    32  equity.
    33    This  act  will  significantly improve the transfer process and better
    34  serve the interests of all parties to a home purchase. It will  increase
    35  clarity  regarding  the  nature of the property and will provide greater
    36  certainty to contracts entered into by better informed buyers and  sell-
    37  ers.  As  well,  it will provide incentive to owners to voluntarily test
    38  their property prior to sale.
    39    h. This act will complement existing state  and  local  laws  on  lead
    40  poisoning  prevention. Section 1377 of the public health law, enacted in
    41  2023, requires the department of health to develop  a  registry  of  all
    42  rental  residential  dwellings  with two or more units built before 1980
    43  within communities of concern outside the city of New York,  which  will
    44  also require such dwellings be inspected for lead hazards at least every
    45  three  years.  This act will ensure equity of information for purchasers
    46  of all residential property built prior to 1978 regardless  of  location
    47  or  number  of units by ensuring that they receive information about the
    48  presence of lead-based paint in dwellings they purchase.
    49    i. This act will require inspection  reports  that  are  developed  to
    50  comply  with this act to be included on the registry of lead inspections
    51  that the department of health is creating pursuant to  section  1377  of
    52  the  public  health  law so that future renters and purchasers can learn
    53  about lead-based paint in homes they are considering renting or purchas-
    54  ing.
    55    j. New York city has already added a requirement, subdivision  a-1  of
    56  section  27-2056.4  of  the administrative code of the city of New York,

        A. 4820--A                          3

     1  that all rental residential properties be tested one time for lead-based
     2  paint by August 2025. This act will establish additional protections for
     3  purchasers of non-rental residential properties, ensuring  equity  among
     4  property purchasers across the state.
     5    §  2.  The  real property law is amended by adding a new article 16 to
     6  read as follows:
     7                                 ARTICLE 16
     8                     LEAD-BASED PAINT RIGHT TO KNOW ACT
     9  Section 520. Short title.
    10          521. Definitions.
    11          522. Inspection of  residential  real  property  for  lead-based
    12                 paint prior to transfer of title.
    13          523. Duty of agent.
    14          524. Liability.
    15    §  520.  Short  title. This article shall be known and may be cited as
    16  the "lead-based paint right to know act".
    17    § 521. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
    18  have the following meanings:
    19    1. "Agent" shall mean a person who is licensed as a real estate broker
    20  or a real estate salesperson pursuant to section four hundred forty-a of
    21  this chapter and acting in a fiduciary capacity.
    22    2. "Binding contract of  sale"  shall  mean  a  real  estate  purchase
    23  contract  or offer that would, upon signing by the seller and subject to
    24  satisfaction of any contingencies, require the buyer to accept a  trans-
    25  fer of title.
    26    3.  "Broker"  shall  have  the  same  meaning  as "real estate broker"
    27  defined by section four hundred forty of this chapter.
    28    4. "Buyer" shall mean any  entity  that  enters  into  a  real  estate
    29  purchase  contract,  including  but not limited to individuals, partner-
    30  ships, corporations,  trusts,  government  agencies,  housing  agencies,
    31  Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
    32    5.  "Lead-based paint" shall mean paint or other similar surface coat-
    33  ing material containing .50 milligrams of lead per square centimeter  or
    34  greater,  as determined by laboratory analysis of paint samples with all
    35  layers of paint present, or by an x-ray  fluorescence  analyzer.  If  an
    36  x-ray  fluorescence  analyzer  is  used, readings shall be corrected for
    37  substrate bias when necessary as specified by the performance character-
    38  istic sheets released by  the  United  States  environmental  protection
    39  agency and the United States department of housing and urban development
    40  for  the  specific  x-ray fluorescence analyzer used. X-ray fluorescence
    41  readings shall be classified as positive, negative  or  inconclusive  in
    42  accordance with the United States department of housing and urban devel-
    43  opment  guidelines  for  the  evaluation and control of lead-based paint
    44  hazards in housing (July 2012) or successor guidelines, and the perform-
    45  ance characteristic sheets released by the United  States  environmental
    46  protection  agency and the United States department of housing and urban
    47  development for the specific x-ray  fluorescence  analyzer  used.  X-ray
    48  fluorescence  readings that fall within the inconclusive zone, as deter-
    49  mined by the performance characteristic sheets, shall  be  confirmed  by
    50  laboratory analysis of paint chips, the measure of such laboratory anal-
    51  ysis shall be definitive.  Where a laboratory analysis of paint chips is
    52  performed  (including because an x-ray fluorescence reading is inconclu-
    53  sive), the results shall be reported in percent  by  weight.    In  such
    54  case,  lead-based  paint  shall mean any paint or other similar surface-
    55  coating material containing more than 0.009 percent  (or  90  parts  per
    56  million)  of  metallic  lead,  based  on the non-volatile content of the

        A. 4820--A                          4

     1  paint or other similar surface-coating material. In the event  that  the
     2  United  States environmental protection agency or a successor agency, or
     3  the United States department of  housing  and  urban  development  or  a
     4  successor  agency,  or  a  department or agency of the state of New York
     5  that has obtained applicable authorization pursuant to  40  C.F.R.  part
     6  745 subpart Q or successor regulation, adopts more stringent definitions
     7  of lead-based paint, such more stringent definitions shall apply for the
     8  purposes of this article.
     9    6. "Real estate purchase contract" shall mean any of the following:
    10    (a) a contract which provides for the purchase and sale or exchange of
    11  residential real property;
    12    (b) a lease with an option to purchase residential real property;
    13    (c) a lease-with-obligation-to-purchase agreement for residential real
    14  property; or
    15    (d) an installment land sale contract for residential real property.
    16    7.  "Residential real property" shall mean real property improved by a
    17  residential dwelling erected prior to the year nineteen  hundred  seven-
    18  ty-eight.
    19    8. "Residential dwelling" shall mean a single-family dwelling, includ-
    20  ing  attached  structures such as porches and stoops, or a single-family
    21  dwelling unit within a structure that contains more  than  one  separate
    22  residential  dwelling  unit, used or occupied, or designed to be used or
    23  occupied, wholly or partly, as the home or  residence  of  one  or  more
    24  persons whether or not it was or will be occupied.
    25    9. "Seller" shall mean any entity that intends to engage in the trans-
    26  fer  of  title  to  a buyer of residential real property, in whole or in
    27  part, including but not limited  to  individuals,  partnerships,  corpo-
    28  rations,  trusts,  government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes,
    29  mortgage banker, lender, and nonprofit organizations. The term  "seller"
    30  also shall mean an entity that transfers shares in a cooperatively owned
    31  project.
    32    10.  "Test for lead-based paint" shall mean a test for the presence of
    33  lead-based paint that has been conducted through both a lead hazard risk
    34  assessment and a lead-based paint inspection as  defined  in  40  C.F.R.
    35  745.103,  24  C.F.R.  35.86, and the United States department of housing
    36  and urban development guidelines for the evaluation and control of lead-
    37  based paint hazards in housing (July 2012), or successor regulations and
    38  guidelines, and a report prepared indicating the results of  such  test,
    39  including  the locations where tests were performed for lead-based paint
    40  and lead-based paint hazards and the readings of all  such  tests.  Such
    41  test shall not be valid unless performed by a person accredited pursuant
    42  to:  (a)  certification  to  conduct  lead  hazard  risk  assessment and
    43  inspections by the United States environmental protection agency  pursu-
    44  ant  to  40  C.F.R.  745.226(b)  or successor regulation; or (b) certif-
    45  ication by a state or tribal program authorized  by  the  United  States
    46  environmental  protection agency to certify individuals engaged in lead-
    47  based paint activities pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 745.325 or successor  regu-
    48  lation  or eligible to conduct the inspections required by this article.
    49  For multifamily housing, the test must be conducted in  accordance  with
    50  the United States department of housing and urban development guidelines
    51  for  the  evaluation  and control of lead-based paint hazards in housing
    52  (July 2012), or successor guidelines.
    53    11. "Transfer of title" shall mean delivery  of  a  properly  executed
    54  instrument  conveying  title  to  residential  real  property  and shall
    55  include delivery of a real estate purchase contract that is a  lease  or
    56  installment land sale contract.

        A. 4820--A                          5

     1    §  522.  Inspection  of residential real property for lead-based paint
     2  prior to transfer of title. 1. (a) Effective August first, two  thousand
     3  twenty-four,  every  seller  of  residential real property pursuant to a
     4  real estate purchase contract shall deliver to a buyer or buyer's  agent
     5  prior  to  the  signing  by  the  buyer  of a binding contract of sale a
     6  certificate that such property has been tested for lead-based paint, and
     7  provide the report of such test.  The seller shall attach a copy of  the
     8  certificate  containing  the signature of the seller and any report of a
     9  test for lead-based paint to the real estate  purchase  contract.    The
    10  seller  shall  submit a copy of such certificate and report of such test
    11  and any subsequent reports of such tests to the office authorized  under
    12  section  three  hundred  seventy-two  of this chapter to be registrar of
    13  title in the county where such real property is located, and such office
    14  shall not accept for filing an instrument of transfer  of  title  unless
    15  accompanied by such certificate where applicable.  The seller shall also
    16  file  such  certificate  and report with the registry established by the
    17  department of health pursuant to subdivision  one  of  section  thirteen
    18  hundred  seventy-seven  of  the  public  health law. The rental registry
    19  shall be publicly accessible online, translated consistent with  section
    20  two hundred two-a of the executive law, and easy to navigate and read by
    21  people with an eighth grade education or less.  The department of health
    22  shall  notify  the  county  department  of health in the location of the
    23  property sale about new entries in the  registry  coming  from  property
    24  sales.
    25    (b) The presentation of a certificate of such test by a prior owner of
    26  such  property  and  evidence of filing such certificate and report with
    27  the department of health in the county where such residential real prop-
    28  erty is located, and with the registry established by the department  of
    29  health  pursuant to subdivision one of section thirteen hundred seventy-
    30  seven of the public health law, shall be deemed to be in compliance with
    31  the provisions of this subdivision.
    32    (c) In the event the seller has not received  from  a  prior  owner  a
    33  certification and report of such tests as set forth in this subdivision,
    34  the  costs  of  testing  for  lead-based  paint and the preparation of a
    35  certificate and report thereof as provided in this subdivision shall  be
    36  deductible  by  the  transferor  or  grantor,  up  to the amount of five
    37  hundred dollars, or in a building with more than one dwelling unit up to
    38  four hundred dollars per dwelling unit tested, from the taxes imposed by
    39  sections fourteen hundred two and fourteen hundred two-a of the tax law.
    40  The transferor or grantor shall not be reimbursed for costs in excess of
    41  the total taxes imposed by sections fourteen hundred  two  and  fourteen
    42  hundred two-a of the tax law.
    43    2. Any provision in a real estate purchase contract or any other docu-
    44  ment  related to the transfer of title in residential real property that
    45  purports to waive any right created under state or federal law  for  the
    46  buyer  to  conduct  a  risk  assessment or inspection of the property to
    47  determine the presence  of  lead-based  paint  and/or  lead-based  paint
    48  hazards,  or  any  oral  agreement that purports to waive such right, is
    49  null and void as against public policy, notwithstanding that such  waiv-
    50  ers might otherwise be permitted by federal law.
    51    3.  A  certificate  that  such property has been tested for lead-based
    52  paint shall not be required in connection  with  any  of  the  following
    53  transfers of residential real property:
    54    (a) A transfer to a beneficiary of a deed of trust;
    55    (b) A transfer by a fiduciary in the course of the administration of a
    56  decedent's estate, a guardianship, a conservatorship, or a trust;

        A. 4820--A                          6

     1    (c) A transfer from one co-owner to one or more other co-owners;
     2    (d)  A  transfer  made  to  the  transferor's spouse or to one or more
     3  persons in the lineal consanguinity of one or more of the transferors;
     4    (e) A transfer between spouses or former spouses  as  a  result  of  a
     5  decree  of  divorce,  dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal sepa-
     6  ration or as a result of property settlement, agreement incidental to  a
     7  decree  of  divorce,  dissolution  of marriage, annulment or legal sepa-
     8  ration;
     9    (f) A transfer to or from the state, a political  subdivision  of  the
    10  state, or another governmental entity;
    11    (g) A transfer by a sheriff;
    12    (h) A transfer pursuant to a partition action; or
    13    (i)  A transfer of an unoccupied dwelling unit or residential property
    14  that is to be demolished, provided the dwelling unit  or  property  will
    15  remain  unoccupied until demolition and lead-safe work practices enumer-
    16  ated in 40 C.F.R. 745 and  successor  regulations,  or  more  protective
    17  state law are followed during the demolition.
    18    4.  Nothing  contained  in  this  article  is  intended to prevent the
    19  parties to a contract of sale from entering into agreements of any  kind
    20  or  nature  with respect to the physical condition of the property to be
    21  sold, including, but not limited to, agreements for  the  sale  of  real
    22  property "as is".
    23    §  523.  Duty  of agent. An agent representing a seller of residential
    24  real property as a listing broker, or, if the seller is not  represented
    25  by  an agent, the agent representing the buyer of residential real prop-
    26  erty and dealing with a prospective seller, shall have the duty to time-
    27  ly (in any event, before the buyer signs a  binding  contract  of  sale)
    28  inform  each  seller  of the seller's obligations under this article. An
    29  agent representing a buyer of residential  real  property,  or,  if  the
    30  buyer is not represented by an agent, the agent representing a seller of
    31  residential  real  property  and dealing with a prospective buyer, shall
    32  have the duty to timely (in any event, before the buyer signs a  binding
    33  contract  of  sale)  inform  such  buyer of the buyer's rights and obli-
    34  gations under this article. If an agent performs the  duties  and  obli-
    35  gations  imposed  upon  him  or  her pursuant to this section, the agent
    36  shall have no further duties under this article and shall not be  liable
    37  to  any  party  for a violation of this article. The department of state
    38  may, pursuant to section  four  hundred  forty-one-c  of  this  chapter,
    39  revoke or suspend the license of an agent who violates this article.
    40    § 524. Liability. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed
    41  as  limiting  any  existing  legal  cause of action or remedy at law, in
    42  statute or in equity.
    43    § 3. The real property law is amended by adding a new  section  235-aa
    44  to read as follows:
    45    § 235-aa. Disclosure of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.
    46  1.  Prior  to  executing  a residential lease or rental agreement with a
    47  tenant, the owner of real property shall provide the tenant  a  copy  of
    48  all  reports  of a test for lead-based paint issued or prepared pursuant
    49  to section five hundred  twenty-two  of  this  chapter,  and  any  other
    50  report,  within  the  possession  or control of the owner, pertaining to
    51  lead-based paint or lead-based  paint  hazards  within  the  meaning  of
    52  section  4852d of title 42 of the United States Code and the regulations
    53  thereunder. Owners who deliver a disclosure form with all required docu-
    54  ments under the provisions of section 4852d of title 42  of  the  United
    55  States  Code  and  the  regulations  thereunder  shall be deemed to have
    56  complied with the requirements of this subdivision.

        A. 4820--A                          7

     1    2. Any agreement by a  lessee  or  tenant  of  premises  for  dwelling
     2  purposes  waiving  or  modifying  his or her rights as set forth in this
     3  section shall be void as contrary to public policy.
     4    3.  An  owner  who  violates  this section shall be liable for a civil
     5  penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars, and in addition,  a  penalty
     6  to  the  tenant  not  to  exceed  the equivalent of the amount of rental
     7  payments for three months plus any attorney's  fees.    The  powers  and
     8  remedies  set  forth  in  this section shall be in addition to all other
     9  existing legal cause of action or remedy at law, in statute or in  equi-
    10  ty.
    11    § 4. Subdivision 2 of section 462 of the real property law, as amended
    12  by chapter 484 of the laws of 2023, is amended to read as follows:
    13    2. The following shall be the disclosure form:
    14                   PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
    15  NAME OF SELLER OR SELLERS:
    16  PROPERTY ADDRESS:
    17    THE  PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE ACT REQUIRES THE SELLER OF RESIDEN-
    18  TIAL REAL PROPERTY TO CAUSE THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR A COPY  THEREOF
    19  TO  BE DELIVERED TO A BUYER OR BUYER'S AGENT PRIOR TO THE SIGNING BY THE
    20  BUYER OF A BINDING CONTRACT OF SALE.
    21    PURPOSE OF STATEMENT: THIS IS A STATEMENT OF  CERTAIN  CONDITIONS  AND
    22  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY KNOWN TO THE SELLER. THIS DISCLOSURE
    23  STATEMENT  IS  NOT  A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY THE SELLER OR BY ANY AGENT
    24  REPRESENTING THE SELLER IN THIS TRANSACTION. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE  FOR
    25  ANY  INSPECTIONS  OR  TESTS AND THE BUYER IS ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN HIS OR
    26  HER OWN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL INSPECTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS AND
    27  ALSO IS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK PUBLIC RECORDS PERTAINING TO THE PROPERTY.
    28    A KNOWINGLY FALSE OR INCOMPLETE STATEMENT BY THE SELLER ON  THIS  FORM
    29  MAY  SUBJECT  THE  SELLER  TO  CLAIMS BY THE BUYER PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE
    30  TRANSFER OF TITLE.
    31    "RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY" MEANS REAL PROPERTY IMPROVED BY A  ONE  TO
    32  FOUR  FAMILY  DWELLING USED OR OCCUPIED, OR INTENDED TO BE USED OR OCCU-
    33  PIED, WHOLLY OR PARTLY, AS THE HOME OR RESIDENCE OF ONE OR MORE PERSONS,
    34  BUT SHALL NOT REFER TO (A) UNIMPROVED  REAL  PROPERTY  UPON  WHICH  SUCH
    35  DWELLINGS  ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR (B) CONDOMINIUM UNITS OR COOPERATIVE
    36  APARTMENTS OR (C) PROPERTY ON A  HOMEOWNERS'  ASSOCIATION  THAT  IS  NOT
    37  OWNED IN FEE SIMPLE BY THE SELLER.

    38  INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SELLER:
    39    (a) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS BASED UPON YOUR ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE.
    40    (b) ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES WITH YOUR SIGNATURE IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS
    41  REQUIRED.
    42    (c) COMPLETE THIS FORM YOURSELF.
    43    (d)  IF  SOME ITEMS DO NOT APPLY TO YOUR PROPERTY, CHECK "NA" (NON-AP-
    44  PLICABLE). IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER CHECK "UNKN" (UNKNOWN).

    45    SELLER'S STATEMENT: THE SELLER MAKES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIONS  TO
    46  THE  BUYER BASED UPON THE SELLER'S ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SIGN-
    47  ING THIS DOCUMENT. THE SELLER AUTHORIZES HIS OR HER AGENT,  IF  ANY,  TO
    48  PROVIDE  A COPY OF THIS STATEMENT TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF THE RESIDEN-
    49  TIAL REAL PROPERTY. THE FOLLOWING ARE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE SELLER
    50  AND ARE NOT THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER'S AGENT.
    51  GENERAL INFORMATION
    52    1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED THE PROPERTY?
    53    2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU OCCUPIED THE PROPERTY?

        A. 4820--A                          8

     1    3. WHAT IS THE AGE OF THE STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES? NOTE  TO  BUYER--IF
     2       THE  STRUCTURE WAS BUILT BEFORE 1978 YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVESTI-
     3       GATE FOR THE PRESENCE OF LEAD BASED PAINT HAZARDS. IN ADDITION, NEW
     4       YORK REAL PROPERTY LAW REQUIRES THE SELLER TO PRODUCE  THE  RESULTS
     5       OF  A TEST OF ALL THE PAINTED SURFACES FOR LEAD, OR TO CONDUCT SUCH
     6       TEST IF NOT PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED.
     7    4. DOES  ANYBODY  OTHER  THAN  YOURSELF  HAVE A LEASE, EASEMENT OR ANY
     8       OTHER RIGHT TO USE OR OCCUPY ANY PART OF YOUR PROPERTY  OTHER  THAN
     9       THOSE  STATED  IN DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLIC RECORD, SUCH AS
    10       RIGHTS TO USE A ROAD OR PATH OR CUT TREES OR CROPS. YES NO UNKN NA
    11    5. DOES ANYBODY ELSE CLAIM TO OWN ANY PART OF YOUR PROPERTY?   YES  NO
    12       UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    13    6. HAS ANYONE DENIED YOU ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY OR MADE A FORMAL LEGAL
    14       CLAIM  CHALLENGING  YOUR  TITLE TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF
    15       YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    16    7. ARE THERE ANY FEATURES  OF  THE  PROPERTY  SHARED  IN  COMMON  WITH
    17       ADJOINING  LAND  OWNERS OR A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, SUCH AS WALLS,
    18       FENCES OR DRIVEWAYS? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES DESCRIBE BELOW)
    19    8. ARE THERE ANY ELECTRIC OR GAS UTILITY SURCHARGES  FOR  LINE  EXTEN-
    20       SIONS,  SPECIAL  ASSESSMENTS OR HOMEOWNER OR OTHER ASSOCIATION FEES
    21       THAT APPLY TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    22    9. ARE THERE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY RELATED TO THE PROPERTY?    YES
    23       NO UNKN NA (IF NO, EXPLAIN BELOW)

    24  ENVIRONMENTAL
    25    NOTE  TO SELLER - IN THIS SECTION, YOU WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS REGARD-
    26  ING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES THAT  YOU  KNOW
    27  TO  HAVE BEEN SPILLED, LEAKED OR OTHERWISE BEEN RELEASED ON THE PROPERTY
    28  OR FROM THE PROPERTY ONTO ANY OTHER  PROPERTY.  PETROLEUM  PRODUCTS  MAY
    29  INCLUDE,  BUT  ARE  NOT  LIMITED TO, GASOLINE, DIESEL FUEL, HOME HEATING
    30  FUEL, AND LUBRICANTS. HAZARDOUS OR  TOXIC  SUBSTANCES  ARE  PRODUCTS  OR
    31  OTHER  MATERIAL  THAT  COULD POSE SHORT- OR LONG-TERM DANGER TO PERSONAL
    32  HEALTH OR THE ENVIRONMENT IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY DISPOSED OF,  APPLIED
    33  OR  STORED.  THESE  INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, FERTILIZERS, PESTI-
    34  CIDES AND INSECTICIDES, PAINT INCLUDING PAINT THINNER,  VARNISH  REMOVER
    35  AND  WOOD  PRESERVATIVES,  TREATED  WOOD, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SUCH AS
    36  ASPHALT AND ROOFING MATERIALS, ANTIFREEZE AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS,
    37  BATTERIES, CLEANING SOLVENTS INCLUDING SEPTIC TANK  CLEANERS,  HOUSEHOLD
    38  CLEANERS,  POOL  CHEMICALS,  PRODUCTS  CONTAINING  MERCURY  AND LEAD AND
    39  INDOOR MOLD.

    40    NOTE TO BUYER - IF  CONTAMINATION  OF  THIS  PROPERTY  FROM  PETROLEUM
    41  PRODUCTS  AND/OR  HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES IS A CONCERN TO YOU, YOU
    42  ARE URGED TO CONSIDER SOIL AND GROUNDWATER TESTING OF THIS PROPERTY.  IF
    43  LEAD  IN  DRINKING  WATER IS A CONCERN TO YOU, YOU ARE URGED TO HAVE THE
    44  PLUMBING EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE SERVICE LINE.

    45    10. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE  PROPERTY  LOCATED  IN  A  FEDERAL  EMERGENCY
    46        MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN?  YES  NO  UNKN  NA
    47        (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    48    11. IS  ANY  OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY IN THE
    49        SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA ("SFHA"; "100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN")  ACCORD-
    50        ING  TO THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY'S (FEMA'S) CURRENT
    51        FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS FOR YOUR AREA? YES NO UNKN NA  (IF  YES,
    52        EXPLAIN BELOW)

        A. 4820--A                          9

     1    12. IS  ANY  OR  ALL  OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY IN A
     2        MODERATE RISK FLOOD HAZARD AREA ("500-YEAR FLOODPLAIN")  ACCORDING
     3        TO  FEMA'S CURRENT FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS FOR YOUR AREA? YES NO
     4        UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
     5    13. IS  THE  PROPERTY  SUBJECT TO ANY REQUIREMENT UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO
     6        OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE ON THE PROPERTY? YES  NO  UNKN
     7        NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
     8        HOMES  IN  THE  SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA, ALSO KNOWN AS HIGH RISK
     9        FLOOD ZONES, ON FEMA'S FLOOD INSURANCE RATE  MAPS  WITH  MORTGAGES
    10        FROM FEDERALLY REGULATED OR INSURED LENDERS ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN
    11        AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE. EVEN WHEN NOT REQUIRED, FEMA ENCOUR-
    12        AGES  HOMEOWNERS  IN  HIGH RISK, MODERATE RISK, AND LOW RISK FLOOD
    13        ZONES TO PURCHASE FLOOD INSURANCE THAT COVERS THE STRUCTURE(S) AND
    14        THE PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN  THE  STRUCTURE(S).  ALSO  NOTE  THAT
    15        HOMES  IN COASTAL AREAS MAY BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF FLOOD-
    16        ING OVER TIME DUE  TO  PROJECTED  SEA  LEVEL  RISE  AND  INCREASED
    17        EXTREME STORMS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH MAY NOT BE REFLECTED
    18        IN CURRENT FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS.
    19    14. HAVE  YOU EVER RECEIVED ASSISTANCE, OR ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PREVI-
    20        OUS  OWNERS  RECEIVING  ASSISTANCE,  FROM  THE  FEDERAL  EMERGENCY
    21        MANAGEMENT  AGENCY  (FEMA), THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
    22        (SBA), OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL DISASTER FLOOD  ASSISTANCE  FOR  FLOOD
    23        DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW) FOR
    24        PROPERTIES  THAT  HAVE  RECEIVED  FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE, THE
    25        REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE PASSES DOWN  TO  ALL  FUTURE
    26        OWNERS.  FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE CAN RESULT
    27        IN AN INDIVIDUAL BEING INELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE.
    28    15. IS THERE FLOOD INSURANCE ON THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF  YES,
    29        ATTACH A COPY OF THE POLICY)
    30        A  STANDARD  HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE POLICY TYPICALLY DOES NOT COVER
    31        FLOOD DAMAGE. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXAMINE YOUR POLICY TO  DETER-
    32        MINE WHETHER YOU ARE COVERED.
    33    16. IS  THERE A FEMA ELEVATION CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE FOR THE PROPERTY?
    34        YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE)
    35        AN ELEVATION CERTIFICATE IS A FEMA FORM, COMPLETED BY  A  LICENSED
    36        SURVEYOR OR ENGINEER. THE FORM PROVIDES CRITICAL INFORMATION ABOUT
    37        THE  FLOOD  RISK  OF  THE  PROPERTY AND IS USED BY FLOOD INSURANCE
    38        PROVIDERS UNDER THE NATIONAL FLOOD  INSURANCE  PROGRAM  (NFIP)  TO
    39        HELP  DETERMINE  THE  APPROPRIATE  FLOOD  INSURANCE RATING FOR THE
    40        PROPERTY. A BUYER MAY BE ABLE TO  USE  THE  ELEVATION  CERTIFICATE
    41        FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER FOR THEIR FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY.
    42    17. HAVE YOU EVER FILED A CLAIM FOR FLOOD DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY WITH
    43        ANY  INSURANCE  PROVIDER,  INCLUDING  THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE
    44        PROGRAM (NFIP)? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    45    18. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN A DESIGNATED WETLAND?
    46        YES  NO  UNKN  NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    47    19. IS THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT?
    48        YES  NO  UNKN  NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    49    20. WAS THE PROPERTY EVER THE SITE OF A LANDFILL?
    50        YES  NO  UNKN  NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    51    21. ARE THERE OR HAVE THERE EVER BEEN FUEL STORAGE TANKS ABOVE OR
    52        BELOW THE GROUND ON THE PROPERTY?  YES  NO  UNKN  NA  IF YES,  ARE
    53        THEY CURRENTLY IN USE? YES NO UNKN NA LOCATION(S) ARE THEY LEAKING
    54        OR HAVE THEY EVER LEAKED? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    55    22. IS THERE ASBESTOS IN THE STRUCTURE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE
    56        LOCATION OR LOCATIONS BELOW)

        A. 4820--A                         10

     1    23. IS LEAD PLUMBING PRESENT? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE LOCATION
     2        OR LOCATIONS BELOW)
     3    24. HAS A RADON TEST BEEN DONE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH A COPY
     4        OF THE REPORT)
     5    25. HAS MOTOR FUEL, MOTOR OIL, HOME HEATING FUEL, LUBRICATING OIL OR
     6        ANY  OTHER  PETROLEUM  PRODUCT,  METHANE  GAS, OR ANY HAZARDOUS OR
     7        TOXIC SUBSTANCE SPILLED, LEAKED OR OTHERWISE BEEN RELEASED ON  THE
     8        PROPERTY  OR  FROM  THE  PROPERTY ONTO ANY OTHER PROPERTY?  YES NO
     9        UNKN NA (IF YES, DESCRIBE BELOW)
    10    26. HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR THE PRESENCE OF MOTOR FUEL, MOTOR
    11        OIL, HOME HEATING FUEL, LUBRICATING OIL, OR  ANY  OTHER  PETROLEUM
    12        PRODUCT,  METHANE GAS, OR ANY HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCE? YES NO
    13        UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH REPORT(S))
    14    27. HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR INDOOR MOLD? YES NO UNKN (IF YES,
    15        ATTACH A COPY OF THE REPORT)

    16  STRUCTURAL
    17    28. IS THERE ANY ROT OR WATER DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE  OR  STRUCTURES?
    18        YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    19    29. IS  THERE ANY FIRE OR SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES?
    20        YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    21    30. IS THERE ANY  TERMITE,  INSECT,  RODENT  OR  PEST  INFESTATION  OR
    22        DAMAGE?  YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    23    31. HAS  THE  PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR TERMITE, INSECT, RODENT OR PEST
    24        INFESTATION OR DAMAGE? YES NO  UNKN  NA  (IF  YES,  PLEASE  ATTACH
    25        REPORT(S))
    26    32. WHAT  IS  THE TYPE OF ROOF/ROOF COVERING (SLATE, ASPHALT, OTHER.)?
    27        ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS? HOW OLD IS THE ROOF? IS THERE A TRANS-
    28        FERABLE WARRANTY ON THE ROOF IN EFFECT NOW? YES  NO  UNKN  NA  (IF
    29        YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    30    33. ARE  THERE  ANY  KNOWN  MATERIAL  DEFECTS  IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
    31        STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS: FOOTINGS, BEAMS, GIRDERS, LINTELS, COLUMNS  OR
    32        PARTITIONS? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)

    33  MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & SERVICES
    34    34. WHAT  IS  THE WATER SOURCE (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY - WELL, PRIVATE,
    35        MUNICIPAL, OTHER)? IF MUNICIPAL, IS IT METERED? YES NO UNKN NA
    36    35. HAS THE WATER QUALITY AND/OR FLOW RATE BEEN TESTED? YES NO UNKN NA
    37        (IF YES, DESCRIBE BELOW)
    38    36. WHAT IS THE TYPE OF SEWAGE SYSTEM (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY -  PUBLIC
    39        SEWER, PRIVATE SEWER, SEPTIC OR CESSPOOL)?  IF SEPTIC OR CESSPOOL,
    40        AGE?  ________  DATE  LAST  PUMPED? ________ FREQUENCY OF PUMPING?
    41        ________ ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS?   YES NO  UNKN  NA  (IF  YES,
    42        EXPLAIN BELOW)
    43    37. WHO IS YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDER? ________ WHAT IS THE AMPER-
    44        AGE?  ________  DOES  IT  HAVE CIRCUIT BREAKERS OR FUSES? ________
    45        PRIVATE OR PUBLIC POLES? ________ ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS?  YES
    46        NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
    47    38. ARE THERE ANY FLOODING, DRAINAGE OR GRADING PROBLEMS THAT RESULTED
    48        IN  STANDING  WATER ON ANY PORTION OF THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA
    49        (IF YES, STATE LOCATIONS AND EXPLAIN BELOW)
    50    39. HAS THE STRUCTURE(S) EXPERIENCED ANY WATER  PENETRATION OR  DAMAGE
    51        DUE TO SEEPAGE OR A NATURAL FLOOD EVENT, SUCH AS FROM HEAVY  RAIN-
    52        FALL,  COASTAL  STORM  SURGE,  TIDAL INUNDATION OR RIVER OVERFLOW?
    53        YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)

        A. 4820--A                         11

     1    ARE THERE ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING (IF  YES,
     2        EXPLAIN BELOW. USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS IF NECESSARY.):
     3    40. PLUMBING SYSTEM?            YES NO UNKN NA
     4    41. SECURITY SYSTEM?            YES NO UNKN NA
     5    42. CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR?   YES NO UNKN NA
     6    43. SMOKE DETECTOR?             YES NO UNKN NA
     7    44. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM?      YES NO UNKN NA
     8    45. SUMP PUMP?                  YES NO UNKN NA
     9    46. FOUNDATION/SLAB?            YES NO UNKN NA
    10    47. INTERIOR WALLS/CEILINGS?    YES NO UNKN NA
    11    48. EXTERIOR WALLS OR SIDING?   YES NO UNKN NA
    12    49. FLOORS?                     YES NO UNKN NA
    13    50. CHIMNEY/FIREPLACE OR STOVE? YES NO UNKN NA
    14    51. PATIO/DECK?                 YES NO UNKN NA
    15    52. DRIVEWAY?                   YES NO UNKN NA
    16    53. AIR CONDITIONER?            YES NO UNKN NA
    17    54. HEATING SYSTEM?             YES NO UNKN NA
    18    55. HOT WATER HEATER?           YES NO UNKN NA
    19    56. THE  PROPERTY  IS LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICT    UNKN
    20       NOTE: BUYER IS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK PUBLIC  RECORDS  CONCERNING  THE
    21       PROPERTY  (E.G.  TAX  RECORDS  AND WETLAND AND FEMA'S CURRENT FLOOD
    22       INSURANCE RATE MAPS AND ELEVATION CERTIFICATES)
    23    THE SELLER SHOULD USE THIS AREA TO FURTHER EXPLAIN ANY ITEM ABOVE.  IF
    24  NECESSARY, ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES AND INDICATE HERE THE NUMBER OF ADDI-
    25  TIONAL PAGES ATTACHED.
    26    ______________________________________________________________
    27    ______________________________________________________________
    28    ______________________________________________________________
    29    ______________________________________________________________
    30    SELLER'S  CERTIFICATION: SELLER CERTIFIES THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS
    31  PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS  TRUE  AND  COMPLETE  TO  THE
    32  SELLER'S  ACTUAL  KNOWLEDGE  AS  OF  THE DATE SIGNED BY THE SELLER. IF A
    33  SELLER OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY  ACQUIRES  KNOWLEDGE  WHICH  RENDERS
    34  MATERIALLY INACCURATE A PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PROVIDED
    35  PREVIOUSLY,  THE  SELLER  SHALL  DELIVER  A  REVISED  PROPERTY CONDITION
    36  DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO THE BUYER AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. IN  NO  EVENT,
    37  HOWEVER, SHALL A SELLER BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A REVISED PROPERTY CONDI-
    38  TION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AFTER THE TRANSFER OF TITLE FROM THE SELLER TO
    39  THE BUYER OR OCCUPANCY BY THE BUYER, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
    40    SELLER__________ DATE___________
    41    SELLER__________ DATE___________
    42    BUYER'S  ACKNOWLEDGMENT:  BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THIS
    43  STATEMENT AND BUYER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS INFORMATION IS A STATEMENT  OF
    44  CERTAIN  CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY KNOWN TO THE
    45  SELLER. IT IS NOT A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY THE SELLER OR SELLER'S AGENT
    46  AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY HOME, PEST, RADON OR  OTHER  INSPECTIONS
    47  OR TESTING OF THE PROPERTY OR INSPECTION OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS.
    48    BUYER__________ DATE__________
    49    BUYER__________ DATE _________
    50    §  5.   This   act  shall take effect August 1, 2024.  Effective imme-
    51  diately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of  any  rule  or  regu-
    52  lation  necessary  for  the  implementation of this act on its effective
    53  date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective
    54  date.