CT Seller Disclosure: Farmington Seller’s Guide

Thinking about selling your home in Farmington? One form can make or break buyer confidence in Connecticut: the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report. You want to be transparent without oversharing, thorough without getting lost in paperwork, and compliant with state and federal rules. This guide shows you what the CT disclosure covers, when you must deliver it, and how to prepare accurate answers that protect your sale and keep your timeline on track. Let’s dive in.

CT disclosure basics

What the form is

Connecticut requires a state-prescribed Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report for most residential sales. The form collects your knowledge about the home’s condition, systems, and certain legal or environmental issues. You are not expected to be a contractor, but you are expected to answer honestly based on what you know and the documents you have.

If you want to see the law behind the form, review the statute in the Connecticut General Statutes that governs seller property disclosures. You can find it in Chapter 392, section 20-327b on the Connecticut General Assembly site under Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. See the relevant statute text at the Connecticut General Assembly page for section 20-327b.

Lead-based paint rules

If your home was built before 1978, federal law requires you to provide a lead disclosure and the EPA booklet Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home. Review the EPA’s guidance on lead-based paint disclosure for real estate transactions and download the required booklet on the EPA site so you are ready to attach it to your listing documents.

Timing and delivery

When to provide

Practically, you should complete the disclosure before you hit the market so buyers and their agents can review it with your listing. Many listing agents upload the completed disclosure to the MLS or share it with interested buyers during showings. At the latest, you need to provide it by contract signing. Early, accurate disclosure reduces back-and-forth later and helps prevent surprises during attorney review and buyer inspections.

Updating mid-transaction

If you discover new material information after you deliver the form, update it in writing as soon as possible. For example, if a roof leak occurs during marketing or you learn about an open permit, revise the disclosure, date the change, and provide it to your agent, the buyer, and the attorneys. Keeping a dated record of updates helps prevent disputes and supports a smoother closing.

What the form covers

Systems and structure

Expect questions about the roof, foundation, crawlspaces, chimneys, heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You will often choose between “working,” “not working,” or “no knowledge.” Add helpful notes like the age of the roof, recent HVAC service dates, or any known defects.

Water and sewage in Farmington

You will disclose whether the property uses public water and sewer or a private well and septic system. In Farmington, some neighborhoods are on municipal utilities while others rely on private systems. Confirm your connections and any maintenance history. For private systems, include well water test results or treatment equipment details, and septic pumping records or inspection reports when available.

If you need to verify municipal connections or assessments, contact the appropriate Town of Farmington offices. The Building Inspection page can help with permit history, and the Town Clerk’s office maintains recorded documents and legal descriptions. The Health Department can guide you on well and septic records.

• Town of Farmington Building Inspection: visit the Building Inspection department page.
• Town Clerk: see the Town Clerk’s office page for recorded documents.
• Health Department: see the Health Department page for local well and septic guidance.

Environmental conditions

You will disclose any known presence of lead-based paint hazards, radon, mold, asbestos, underground storage tanks, contaminated fill, or other environmental conditions. If you have radon test results, include them. The Connecticut Department of Public Health offers radon facts and testing guidance that many sellers find helpful when deciding whether to test before listing.

Insurance and claims

List any past insurance claims for property damage, such as water intrusion, wind, fire, or flood. Buyers and their insurers use this information to assess risk and premiums. Provide documentation of mitigation work when you have it.

Legal and municipal issues

Disclose any known zoning or building code violations, pending municipal assessments, easements, shared driveways, boundary disputes, or HOA obligations. In Farmington, the Town Clerk’s records and the Building Department can help you verify permit status, recorded easements, and municipal notices. You can also search statewide recorded instruments at Connecticut Land Records.

• Connecticut Land Records: use the statewide portal for recorded documents.

Renovations and permits

You will be asked whether material work was done and if permits were obtained and closed. This is a common friction point. If work was done without permits, say so, and gather what you can to clarify the scope and date of the work. If permits exist, list permit numbers and final inspection dates.

Other property items

Expect questions about pools, outbuildings, retaining walls, driveways, sprinklers, and detached structures. If your property is near the Farmington River or in a mapped flood zone, disclose any known flood history or insurance claims. If you need to confirm flood zone status, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

• FEMA Flood Map Service Center: check your property’s flood zone status.

Farmington prep checklist

Gather key documents

Collect the following before you start filling out the form:

• Deed and legal description, plus any recent survey or plot plan.
• Building permits and certificates of occupancy or final inspections from the Town of Farmington.
• Receipts, invoices, and warranties for major repairs such as roof, HVAC, septic, or structural work.
• Septic pumping and inspection records, or proof of sewer connection and any lateral work.
• Well drill logs, water quality test results, and water treatment system details if applicable.
• Prior inspection reports or engineering evaluations.
• Insurance loss history and any mitigation or remediation reports.
• HOA rules, budgets, and meeting minutes if your property is in an association.
• Lead paint reports or renovation documents for pre-1978 homes, plus the EPA booklet and acknowledgment.
• Any municipal notices about code violations, assessments, or liens.

To retrieve permits or recorded documents, use local resources:

• Town of Farmington Building Inspection for permit history.
• Town Clerk for recorded deeds and easements.
• Connecticut Land Records for statewide searches.
• Health Department for well and septic records.

Consider inspections and tests

Pre-listing checks can help you answer with confidence and fix small issues before showings.

• General home inspection to identify unknown defects.
• Roof inspection, plus gutter and flashing review.
• Septic inspection or pump verification for private systems, or a sewer lateral scope if on public sewer.
• Radon test for lower levels or basements. See Connecticut Department of Public Health radon guidance for context on testing.
• Well water test for bacteria, nitrates, and common contaminants if on a private well.
• Chimney or venting inspection and HVAC service.
• Lead paint testing for pre-1978 homes if you want to be proactive.

Answering with confidence

• Be factual and specific. Include dates, contractor names, permit numbers, and attach supporting documents when the form allows.
• Use “no knowledge” only when you are truly unsure. If you can check town records or complete a targeted inspection quickly, do that instead of guessing.
• Disclose prior insurance claims and the mitigation steps taken, even if the issue was fully repaired.
• If work was done without permits, disclose it. Transparency now prevents post-closing disputes.
• For environmental topics, state whether testing was done and attach results if available.

Local checks to verify

• Farmington River proximity and floodplain: confirm flood zone status at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and disclose any flood insurance claims or repetitive losses.
• Historic or preservation oversight: if your property is in a local historic area, note any exterior work approvals received in the past.
• Municipal utilities: confirm sewer and water connections with the appropriate Town of Farmington office, and check whether any assessments are outstanding.

Avoid common pitfalls

• Incomplete or vague answers. Leaving blanks or checking “unknown” across the board raises red flags. Fill out every applicable item and add brief notes when helpful.
• Failure to disclose known defects. Omitting a known roof leak, drainage issue, or past water intrusion can lead to claims after closing. Disclose the issue and show what was done to correct it.
• Misstating permit history. Saying work was permitted when it was not can cause closing delays and liability. Verify and disclose accurately.
• Lead rules for pre-1978 homes. Federal rules require you to provide the EPA booklet and complete the lead-based paint disclosure. Review the EPA’s requirements for real estate disclosure so you do not miss a step.
• Not updating the form. If something changes after you provide the disclosure, update in writing and circulate the revised version.
• Insurance surprises. Prior claims can affect a buyer’s ability to obtain homeowners insurance. Disclose claims up front and provide documentation to help buyers and their insurers.
• Not looping in your attorney. Connecticut transactions commonly include attorney review. If you are unsure about legal issues like easements, open permits, or municipal notices, consult your attorney early.

A simple seller workflow

1. Gather documents. Collect title documents, permits, warranties, insurance claim history, surveys, and any prior inspections.
2. Order targeted pre-listing checks. Focus on roof, septic or sewer lateral, radon, well water, and HVAC based on your property’s systems and history.
3. Complete the CT disclosure. Answer every applicable question, attach documents, and add concise notes that help buyers understand condition and history.
4. Share with your agent and buyers. Provide the completed disclosure for MLS and showings. Keep a dated copy for your records.
5. Update if needed. If new issues or information arise during marketing or negotiations, revise the disclosure and deliver the update promptly.
6. Coordinate with your attorney. Address legal or municipal questions before they become contract obstacles.

Next steps

A complete, accurate disclosure builds trust, speeds negotiations, and reduces the risk of costly surprises. If you want a smooth, well-documented sale in Farmington, prepare your paperwork, verify local records, and get ahead of questions buyers will ask.

If you would like guidance on what to test, which records to pull, and how to present your home for maximum value, reach out to Laurie Kane. Our concierge listing approach pairs complimentary staging with hands-on transaction management so you can list with confidence and close with clarity.

FAQs

Is the CT disclosure required for a Farmington home sale?

• Most residential sales in Connecticut require the state disclosure form, with limited statutory exemptions. Review the statute and consult your attorney for your specific situation.

When should I give buyers the disclosure in CT?

• Provide it before or at the time of contract. Best practice is to share it at listing so buyers review it early and you avoid delays later.

What if my home was built before 1978?

• You must complete the federal lead disclosure and provide the EPA booklet Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home in addition to the CT disclosure.

Should I test for radon before listing in Farmington?

• It is optional, but many sellers test to answer buyer questions confidently. See Connecticut Department of Public Health radon guidance for context.

What if I discover an issue after delivering the disclosure?

• Update the disclosure in writing, date the change, and provide it to your agent, the buyer, and the attorneys along with any supporting documents.

Does the disclosure replace a home inspection for buyers?

• No. The disclosure reflects your knowledge, but buyers typically order inspections and attorney review to further investigate the property.