Minnesota Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing (TISH) evaluations explained

Minnesota Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing, or TISH, is not one single statewide program. Instead, some Minnesota cities require a city-specific sale-time housing evaluation or disclosure report before a home is shown, marketed, or sold, while other cities use different names such as Time-of-Sale, and some places do not have a municipal sale inspection at all. (ag.state.mn.us)

For most sellers, the practical takeaway is simple: check your city early, schedule the required evaluation if your property needs one, and do not assume it replaces a buyer's private home inspection. Because rules vary by city and property type, confirm the current requirements with the local housing, inspections, or code office before you list or close. (ag.state.mn.us)

What TISH means in Minnesota

The Minnesota Attorney General says some Minnesota cities require a Truth-in-Housing Report that tells buyers the condition of the home based on the city's housing code standards. The report is completed by a licensed evaluator, and the Attorney General warns that some cities have limited requirements, so buyers should not rely on the report alone. (ag.state.mn.us)

That is why "Minnesota TISH" really means a family of local programs rather than one statewide rule. In Minneapolis, the program is called Truth in Sale of Housing. In Saint Paul, it is also called Truth-in-Sale of Housing, but the city describes the report as "disclosure only." Bloomington uses a Time-of-Sale Housing Inspection Program that includes hazard review and energy disclosure. (minneapolismn.gov)

If you are not sure whether your address is in a city with a sale-time requirement, start with the site's state-by-state directory or use the Point-of-sale inspection checker. If you want the big-picture version first, see What is a point-of-sale inspection?.

Which homes usually need a TISH-style evaluation

The answer depends on the city. In Minneapolis, a TISH evaluation is required before sale for single-family houses, duplexes, townhouses, and first-time condominium conversions. The city says you must have a full report before you can show the property. Certain city-issued certificates can take the place of a report in limited cases, including a Certificate of Code Compliance, which is good for up to one year after issue, and a Certificate of Occupancy for newly built properties, which is good for one sale after issue. (minneapolismn.gov)

In Saint Paul, all single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, and townhomes need a TISH evaluation before the property is marketed for sale. A condo with its own parcel identification number still needs a TISH even if there is a Certificate of Occupancy for the building, while properties with three or more units that do not have an individual PIN, plus commercial and mixed-use buildings, do not require Saint Paul's TISH. (stpaul.gov)

In Bloomington, the city's Time-of-Sale program applies to single- and two-family dwellings, condominiums, townhouses, and mobile homes offered for sale. Multi-family rental buildings with four or more units are not included. (bloomingtonmn.gov)

This is a good reminder that you should not assume your city follows Minneapolis or Saint Paul. A nearby city may use a different form, a different deadline, or no municipal report at all. That is one reason local owners often compare rules with a tool like Point-of-sale inspection vs. a buyer's home inspection before listing.

What evaluators usually look at

A TISH-style evaluation is usually broader than a casual walk-through but narrower than a full buyer's inspection. Minneapolis publishes a detailed checklist that includes attic space and insulation, carbon monoxide detectors, ceiling height, chimneys, drainage, egress, electrical outlets and fixtures, electrical service panel, foundation, gas piping, heating plant, plumbing fixtures, roof structure and covering, sleeping rooms, smoke detectors, stairs, walls, water heater, water piping, and windows. (minneapolismn.gov)

Minneapolis also says some issues do not require repair even if evaluators note them. Examples include chipped or peeling paint, a functional galvanized plumbing system, missing storm windows or doors, and torn carpet or broken tile. The city also says evaluators do not look at non-essential systems such as wood stoves, fireplaces, or air conditioners, and they do not inspect toxic substances such as asbestos, lead-based paint, formaldehyde, or radon. (minneapolismn.gov)

Bloomington makes the same general point in different words. Its Time-of-Sale report is a limited overview based on visual inspection, and the city says the initial inspection does not address environmental hazards such as lead paint, radon, or asbestos. Evaluators are not required to inspect inaccessible, concealed, or unsafe areas, climb on roofs, or disassemble items. (bloomingtonmn.gov)

For sellers, that means a municipal TISH report is not a promise that every defect has been found. For buyers, it means the city report is useful, but it is not a substitute for a thorough private inspection. If you are getting ready for a city visit, How to prepare your house for a point-of-sale inspection can help you handle the basics ahead of time.

When the report is needed and how long it lasts

Timing matters. In Minneapolis, the city says the seller must have the full TISH report before showing the property. Saint Paul says a valid TISH disclosure report must be available for viewing by potential buyers within three calendar days of listing the property for sale, and its webpage also says evaluations must be completed prior to marketing. Bloomington requires the inspection and report before listing and showing, and a copy of the original report must be submitted to the city within seven calendar days after the evaluation is done. (minneapolismn.gov)

Validity also varies. In Saint Paul, the report is good for one year, or 365 consecutive days, from the date it is issued and is valid for only one sale by the owner listed on the report. Bloomington says its Time-of-Sale report and Certificate of Compliance are valid for one year from the date of issue and only for the owner named on the report. (stpaul.gov)

Minnesota law also treats these documents as important transaction records. State statute says a real estate licensee must furnish parties with true and accurate copies of truth-in-housing forms, energy audits, and other material transaction documents when they are signed or become available. (revisor.mn.gov)

What happens if problems are found

This is where city programs differ the most. Saint Paul describes its TISH report as "disclosure only," which means the main purpose is to give buyers basic information about the observed condition of the dwelling. The Minnesota Attorney General likewise says most communities with a Truth-in-Housing ordinance do not require the seller to make repairs. (stpaul.gov)

Minneapolis is stricter about some repair items. Its checklist separates issues that generally need permits from items that often do not. Examples of permit-type repairs include certain boiler backflow or relief valve issues, improper furnace or boiler flues, missing or broken temperature and pressure relief valves on water heaters, exposed wiring tied to fixture installation, and some gas-line or plumbing corrections. The city also gives smoke and carbon monoxide detector placement rules, including operable smoke detectors outside each sleeping area and carbon monoxide detectors within 10 feet of a sleeping room. (minneapolismn.gov)

Minneapolis also allows required repairs to shift to the buyer in some sales. The city's Acknowledgement of Responsibility form says buyers must submit the signed form within one business day of closing when repairs are identified and no Certificate of Approval has been issued. That form states the buyer agrees to complete repairs within 90 days of closing, and it explains that non-permit repairs, safety checks, and permit-required work have different signoff paths. (minneapolismn.gov)

Bloomington takes another approach. Its city page says only items that pose an immediate hazard to occupants are required to be repaired, while other deficiencies may still be noted in the report. Bloomington's current posted fee for the Time-of-Sale inspection is $250 plus service charges, and the city says that fee includes the energy disclosure and any needed re-inspections, though separate permit fees can still apply if permit work is required. (bloomingtonmn.gov)

If repair timing becomes an issue, read Escrow and buyer assumption when repairs are not done before closing. It can help you understand the moving parts before you sign anything.

A simple seller checklist

If your Minnesota city has a TISH-style rule, this checklist can save time:

1. Check whether your exact address is in a city with a sale-time rule, and confirm which properties are covered. (ag.state.mn.us)
2. Ask whether your property might qualify for an alternate city certificate instead of a new report. Minneapolis, for example, recognizes certain Certificates of Code Compliance and Certificates of Occupancy in limited cases. (minneapolismn.gov)
3. Schedule early. Minneapolis requires the report before showings, Saint Paul requires buyer access within three calendar days of listing, and Bloomington requires the inspection before listing and showing. (minneapolismn.gov)
4. Expect a limited city evaluation, not a full private inspection. The Attorney General says not to rely on the city report alone. (ag.state.mn.us)
5. If repairs are flagged, ask which ones are required, which need permits, and whether buyer assumption is allowed in your city. (minneapolismn.gov)
6. Keep copies of the report and any follow-up documents with your sale paperwork. Minnesota statute says truth-in-housing forms and energy audits are material documents that licensees must furnish when available. (revisor.mn.gov)

Frequently asked questions

Is a Minnesota TISH report the same as a home inspection?

No. The Minnesota Attorney General says some city Truth-in-Housing reports have limited requirements and should not be relied on alone. Bloomington also says its report is a limited visual overview, not a technically extensive inspection. (ag.state.mn.us)

Do all Minnesota cities require TISH?

No. The Attorney General says some Minnesota cities require a Truth-in-Housing Report, which means the rule is local, not universal. Cities may also use different names, such as Minneapolis TISH, Saint Paul TISH, or Bloomington Time-of-Sale. (ag.state.mn.us)

Can a buyer take responsibility for repairs?

Sometimes. In Minneapolis, the official Acknowledgement of Responsibility form says a buyer can agree to correct required items when no Certificate of Approval has been issued, and the form says repairs must be completed within 90 days of closing. Other cities handle repair responsibility differently, so always check the local rule. (minneapolismn.gov)

How can sellers avoid last-minute surprises?

Start early, confirm the city rule before listing, and read the municipal checklist if one is available. In Minneapolis, for example, the city publishes a detailed checklist of covered items, and Bloomington says the inspection should be scheduled before listing and showing. Reviewing a guide like How to prepare your house for a point-of-sale inspection can also help you spot easy fixes ahead of time. (minneapolismn.gov)