Bill > S1761

This bill mandates that sellers of single-family homes, or multi-family homes with fewer than five units, or condominium units, must obtain a home energy assessment through the Mass Save program before listing their property for sale, with no additional cost to the seller. The seller or their agent must then share the results of this assessment with potential buyers at the time of listing or before a purchase contract is signed. However, this requirement does not apply to certain situations such as foreclosures, transfers due to eminent domain, sales between family members, court-ordered sales, or properties that are historic landmarks, have had a recent energy assessment, were recently built and meet energy codes, or have a recent ENERGY STAR certification. Additionally, the bill directs the department of energy resources to create and implement an energy rating and labeling system for residential dwellings by mid-2016, which will provide buyers with consistent information about a home's energy performance, considering factors like energy consumption, costs, and carbon emissions, and also requires recommendations for a similar system for rental properties.